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AN 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



CIVIL WAR 



THE VENDUE, 

TROM ITS ORIGIN TO 

THE PEACE CONCLUDED AT LA JAUNAIE I 

■ 

Translated from the French of 

P. Y. J. BERTHRE DE BOURNISE AUX, 
(OF THO.UARS) 

Member of the Free Society of Belles Lettres and Arts of Paris, 
of the Literary Society of the Two Sevres, etc. 

PARIS: 

yRINTED BY J. SMITH, AT THE ENGLISH PRESS 

RUE VAUGIRARD, N°. 939, 

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DEDICATORY EPISTLE 



VEND fi E. 



O THOU I whom Monfters have over- 
whelmed with ruin, laid wafte and covered 
with afhes ! melancholy vi£tim of mad pac- 
tions ! unfortunate Vendee ! accept this 
tribute of regard from one of your children*: 
there are enough who lavifhly offer incenfe 
ta men in power ; for me, oh ! my Country, 
it is to misfortune only, it is to thee alone, 
that I wjm to devote my feeble talents, 
a 2 my 



IV DEDICATORY EPISTLE 

my watchful hours, and my beft affections* 
May the enthufiafm which infpires me, 
electrify every heart, and call forth tears,, 
fuch as I have fhed at the fight of thofe 
devouring flames that preyed upon thy bofom I 
May a regenerating Government caft one 
look of pity on thee ! May it view thee 
as I do, loaded with the gifts of nature* 
but delpifed of men ; furrounded by feas* 
ftreams, and rivers, but deftitute of canals, 
without inland navigation, high roads, or 
any means of exportation for thy produce ; 
fituated in the midft of a moft fertile 
country, but wanting channels of commer- 
cial communication, a common centre, and 
even towns ; refembling, in fhort, a great 
body covered with veins, but without a 
heart ! 

Oh 



DEDICATORY EPISTLE V 

Oh my Country ! I am perhaps deceiving 
xnyfelf with vain hopes ; but methinks a 
bright day at length dawns upon thy de- 
folated plains ; that Government which has 
given peace to Europe, which has reftored 
to thee the religious worfhip of thy ances- 
tors and thofe altars, in defence of which 
thou haft fhed thy blood, will be able to 
roufe thee from the melancholy apathy in 
which thou art funk, and give thee a new 
political exiftence. 

May this delightful hope be fpeedily con- 
firmed ! May my feeble voice haft en the 
moment of its accomplifhmei\t ! Unhappy 
Vendue, how difinterefted are the fenti- 
ments by which I am guided towards thee, 
and the affe&ionate fhare which I take in 
thy misfortunes ! I neither feek places, re- 
putation, riches, nor even that kind of ce- 
lebrity 



VI DEDICATORY EPISTLE. 

lebrity which is acquired by pleading for 
the wretched ; my only wifh is to fee thy 
ruins repaired, and thy wounds healed once 
more ; thy profperity will be mine, and my 
fweeteft reward ; in a word, Oh ! my Country^ 
I can be happy only in thy welfare* 



PREFACE 



PREFACE. 



THERE are few States in Europe that at 
different periods have not been a prey to 
the fury of civil war. Without going fur- 
ther back than the age of Charlemagne, 
what blood has been fhed in Europe, by 
fatal inteftine difputes ! Italy ancj Germany 
probably feel to this day the havoc and 
the deftructive ftruggles of the Guelphs and 
Gibelines ; England, the bloody contefts 
between the houfes of York and Lancafter ; 
Sweden, the wars of Chriftiern and Vafa ; 
and Spain the funeral piles and fcafFolds 
which me fo long erected in Flanders and 
in Holland. What has been the refult of 
fo many terrible (hocks to thefe different 
nations ? a general decline in every branch 
of the body politic. The decay of agricul- 
ture has been neceffarily accompanied by 
that of population ; and liberal ideas, national 

fpirit, 



Vllt DEFACE 

ipirit, and patriotifm, the vital ftrength of 
a nation, have gradually difappeared. If we 
caft a fingle glance upon the ftate of mo- 
dern Europe, we fhall eafily perceive that 
Italy is now nothing more than a mere 
Ikeleton decorated with an empty name ; that 
Germany has loft more than one half of 
that numerous population, which maintained 
its independence againft all the efforts of 
the Romans ; that England is now only 
another modern Carthage, obliged to pay 
mercenaries for her defence ; that Sweden 
has a very precarious exiftence, and that 
Spain is reduced to depend for her defence 
on the magnanimity of her allies. 

Although France has had lefs to com- 
plain of interline divifions than her neigh- 
bours, fhe has neverthelefs been frequently 
on the point of expiring under the cruel 
wounds received in the courfe of her civil 
wars. 

The cradle of the monarchy was ftained 
with the blood which the animofity of the 

children 



PREFACE IX 

children of Clovis on the one hand, and the 
ambition of the mayors of the palace and 
the weaknefs of the laft Maerovingian kings 
on the other, caufed to flow. The Feudal 
Government fpeedily fucceeded this anarchy, 
the ftate was divided into as many par- 
ties as there were lords and caftles, and the 
firft kings of the Capet race were reduced 
to be mere fpectators of the fury of their 
fubjects. Louis-le-Gros and fome of his 
fucceflors attempted in vain to check the 
progrefs of thefe diforders ; the fatal rival- 
fhips of the Plantagenets and the race of 
Valois, gave France no time to revive after 
fo many misfortunes ; its blood ran in tor- 
rents, and notwithftanding all the exertions 
of the greateft of her Kings, Charles the 
Wife, the factions of the Armagnacs and the 
Burg-undians foon exhaufted the remaining 
ftrength of the country. It was lefs to the 
genius of Charles the Vllth than to the 
diverfions which the red and white rofes 
occafionedin England, that France was in- 
debted for her fafety ; never was (lie fo 
near being fhipwrccked. The calm, how- 
b ever, 



x preface; 

ever, which the country then experienced 
was only of very fhort duration : fcarcely 
had a century elapfed when all its wounds 
broke out afrefh. A religious mania fud- 
denly fezied the majority of the French 
nation. The ambitious great affumed a 
resectable mafk, and whilft the people 
were murdering each other for differences of 
opinion, hypocrites contefted for the honor of 
holding the bloody reins of the ftate. Thefe 
deplorable troubles calmed by Henry, were 
entirely appeafed by Richelieu. Under his 
fucceffor, difcord again reared its ftandard, 
but France was wearied with fo many fuc- 
ceffive fhocks : the faction of Fronde and 
its King of the Halls became the fubjects 
of ridicule ; the firm and fevere Govern- 
ment of Lewis the XI Vth again reftored 
order in the ftate. 

The fprings of Government, were however 
foon relaxed again under the reign of his felfifh 
and intemperate fucceffor; the throne, de- 
filed by proftitution, loft its ancient majefty, 
and became in the eyes of the people 

nothing 



PREFACE. XI 

nothing but an empty fhadow ; the unfor- 
tunate Lewis the XVIth fell under the 
ftroke of a daring party, and expiated the 
crimes of his predecefTors. France, although 
undeceived with refpect to her Kings, 
viewed with companion a Prince, more 
unfortunate than guilty, tumbled headlefs 
from a throne. In many provinces, pity 
took place of the fentiments of revenge 
and indignation. The noble enthufiafm of 
1789, was almofl extinguifhed, no remains 
of it were found except in the army ; 
factious men by the aid of the magic words 
of liberty and patriotifm, had got pofTeffion 
of power, and France, plunged in a de- 
lude of blood and carnage, became an 
arena in which ruffians difputed the ipoils 
of its beft citizens, and every part of the 
body politic was in a (rate of fufFering, when 
to the horrors of foreign hoftility was added 
the fcourge of civil war. In my Introduc- 
tion I mail point out the caufes of that 
lamentable conteft which often brought to 
the very brink of ruin that formidable Re- 
public, now re-eftabiifhed upon its firmed 
b 2 bafis 



Xll PREFACE. 

bafis, and in feme rneafure rendered immor - 
tal by the genius of a protecting Hero I 
As a fpectator and witnefs of the reciprocal 
fury of the contending parties, I venture 
to flatter myfelf, that my teftimony will 
not be queftioned. I relate what I faw and 
heard. 

—~ - Quaeque ipse miserrima YidL 

By the light of the flames which fur- 
rounded me on every fide, and were con- 
fuming the unhappy Vendee, I ventured 
to write its Hiftory ; the tumult of battle 
and the accents of death often ftruck my 
ear, whilft I was writing, and interrupted 
the; thread of my narrative. The reader 
will eafily perceive in peruling this work, 
the various movements of terror, pity and 
indignation, which agitated my mind in thofe 
terrible moments ; but if it was impoffible for 
me amidft the horrors and aflaffinations which 
defolated my country to keep my mind in a 
ftate of perfeft tranquillity, I am not afraid of 
being accufed of having written its Hiftory with 
partiality. I here declare by every thing 

moft 



PREFACE. Xlli 

moft facred among men, that no fentiment 
unworthy of a liberal mind, or any private 
views, have guided my pen. One thought 
alone occupied my mind, engaged in writing 
this Sketch ; namely, that an hiftorian who 
feels all the dignity of his functions, ought 
rather to Sacrifice his life than deceive 
pofterity. 

.Vitam impendere vero, 

I have palled flightly over the mutual 
cruelties committed on both fides, per- 
fuaded that it was ufelefs to terrify our 
defceiidants with the narrative of our crimes. 

I forefee that fome eye witneffes will 
accufe me of having omitted interefting 
particulars of the different battles which I 
have defcribed : others may- pretend that I 
have confounded dates, and events : I fhall 
anfwer to thefe objections ; that my des- 
criptions of battles are founded upon the 
official reports which I procured at the 
time, both from the Republicans and the Ven- 

deans, 



XVI PREFACE. 

deans, and to which I have added the tes- 
timonies of well informed friends, who 
had been a£tors or ipe£tators of thofe fcenes. 
Any man, who after having been prefent 
at a battle, pretends to know all its details, 
is a prefumptuous charafter to whom I have 
nothing to reply. Let a hundred officers 
be interrogated refpefting the caufes which 
decided the vi&ory of Mans, let their tes- 
timonies be compared, and the reader will 
be convinced the truth of what I advance. 
Let then even the witneffes of thefe events 
beware of faying, that " the Hiftorian is 
miftaken," till they have reflected and 
examined if they may not be themielves 
in error. 

My Hiftorical Sketch begins at the 
period of 1792, and fmifhes at the general 
pacification of 1795. I did not think it 
neceflary to write the Hiftory of the Troubles 
of the Vendee during the feventhyear. The 
fymptoms of that freih explofion, indeed, made 
their appearance under a tremendous alpecl:, 

and 



PREFACE. XV 

and the confequences of that appeal to arms, 
might have become fatal ; but the immortal 
day of the 18th Brumaire, by overturning 
an 'oppreffive Government, calmed all 
fa&ions, and united all parties. This laft 
infurrection did not, therefore, give rife 
to any important event, except the battle 
of Aubiers, which was gained by the 
commander of batallion, Hardouin, and 
by the fteadinefs of Captain La Vigne. 
That brave officer, intrenched three days in 
the Church of Aubiers, with two hundred 
men, refitted the efforts of a whole army, 
and gave Hardouin time to come to his 
relief. The names of thefe two men will 
long be dear to the proprietors in the 
Vendee ; they will never forget the im- 
portant fervices rendered them by thofe of- 
ficers, who prevented the return of civil 
war, and thereby refcued their property from 
frefh devaluation and horrors of every kind. 



,.4| INTRODUCTION. 



INTRODUCTION. 



FRANCE, on the death of Lewis the 
XVth, prefented an alarming appearance to 
the world. The difgraceful clofe of that 
reign had entirely overcaft the fplendour 
of its aufpicious commencement ; the Mo- 
narchy had in fome meafure grown old 
with the Monarch ; and the body politic 
feemed to partake of the decrepitude of the 
head of the State. An exhaufted popu- 
lation, deranged finances, corrupted and im- 
moral minifters, wars undertaken with le- 
vity, and conducted with folly and weaknefs, 
a ruined navy, a difcontented army, pow- 
erful enemies, fhameful treaties of peace, 
ruinous and difgraceful ceffions of territories 
in the new world ; in fliort, a univerfally 
prevailing egotifm, all prefented to the dif- 
c cerning 



XV111 INTRODUCTION. 

cerning mind, the fymptoms of a dreadful 
revolution, and the appearance of a State 



In the midft of this deplorable confufion, 
what principally ftruck judicious obfervers, 
was, the general corruption of manners. 
Proftitution was become the idol of the 
court, and the people were alike proftituted. 
Good faith, juftice, morality, and almoft 
% all the focial virtues had difappeared from, 
the French territory, and the vilefl: liber- 
tinifm had taken place of the auftere man- 
ners of the Gauls and the Franks. Seated upon 
that throne which the Charlemagnes and the 
Philips had renedred illuftrious, the infamous 
Du Barry, proud of her afcendancy over the 
decayed Monarch, gave laws imperioufly to 
a degenerated people. Places and honours 
were all put into the hands of brokers, 
every thing was fold at court ; every 
employment had its regulated price, virtue 
alone was accounted nothing ; and in- 
stead of the Barres, the Triflans, the Mon- 



INTRODUCTION, XIX 

tignys, who formerly were the ornaments 
of the court of Philip Auguftus, that of 
Lewis was the picture of a Dionyfius fur- 
rounded by the vileft flatterers. 
I 

Lewis the XVIth began his reign, and 
the {implicity of his manners checked for 
a moment the general corruption. A vir- 
tuous citizen, but a weak king ; with the 
candour of the fon of Charlemagne, without 
poiTeffing his courage ; what dyke could he 
oppofe to the licentuous torrent of the age ! 
His good intentions availed nothing aeainffc 
the univerfal depravity : though an econo- 
mical Prince, he could not prevent depre- 
dations upon the finances ; and though 
zealous in favour of purity of morals, all 
his efforts for their reformation only rendered 
him the derifion of the court ; religious 
himfelf, he had the misfortune to fee atheifm 
making frefri progrefs, and effacing in the 
hearts of the people every fentiment of ref- 
pect for the moral virtues ; upon the whole, 
c 2 Lewis. 



XX INTRODUCTION. 

Lewis the XVIth was born to difprove that 
celebrated proverb : • 

Regis ad exemplar totus componitur ©rbisv. 

If this Prince had attempted to flop the 
progrefs of the revolution, it is eafy to 
conceive that his efforts would have been 
fruitlefs* Such an undertaking required 
talents of the firft magnitude, and Lewis- 
did not poffefs thofe talents ; unable to flop 
the rapidity of the revolution which wa& 
lapping his throne to the foundations, he 
was buried under its ruins. 

God forbid that I ever mould become the 
^pologift of the crimes which have ftained: 
the revolution : if its effects have been for- 
tunate, with what ftrearns of blood has the 
good been purchafcd ! If pofterity mould 
one day render juftice to the merit and 
talents of certain celebrated men, it will- 
devote to execration numbers of thofe mo- 
dern fons of Pelias, who cut their father 
into pieces to give him a new exiftence. 

In 



INTRODUCTION. XXI 

In 1789, the Revolution took place; two 
thirds of the French embraced it with en- 
thufiafm ; by a natural confequence enough, 
the other third beheld nothing in the new 
lyftembut an hydra preparing their deftru&ion* 

The nobility and clergy, who, after having 
attained the higheft fummit of riches and 
honours, found themfelves not only levelled 
with the clafs of the loweft mechanics, but 
even purfued by a miftaken people amidft 
the fmoaking ruins of their caftles ; whofe 
defolated lands no longer furnifhed them 
with a certain provifioh for their fubfiftence ; 
thefe men were of courfe the declared he- 
reditary enemies to the revolution. To 
have expecled their fupport to the new 
order of things, would have argued but 
little knowledge of the human heart, and 
would have been to require a miracle from 
philofophy, when we know of none that 
philofophy has performed. 

But what in the hiftory of our times pos- 
terity will hear with furprife, is that in an 

unknown 



XXII INTRODUCTION. 

unknown corner of France, an pbfcure clafi 
of poor and wretched peafants, emancipated 
by the revolution from the payment of tythes, 
and the land tax, and thus deriving the 
greateft advantages from that event, mould 
alone have dared to declare againft the new 
order of things, clamoroufly called for by 
almoft the whole French nation ; mould* 
alone have attempted to rear a wall of fe- 
paration between itfelf and the reft of France, 
and endeavour to preferve what it was the 
general wifh to deftroy* I am aware I 
mall be aniwered, that it was the fuggeftions 
of the nobles and priefts, which determined 
thefe unfortunate inhabitants to make thele 
aftonifhing efforts, under the weight of 
which they funk at laft. It is however 
notorious, that the nobles and the priefts 
(with fome very few exceptions) had- no 
lhare in fomenting this inteftine war ; thofe 
elaffes were too well informed not to per- 
ceive the prodigious inequality of the ftrug- 
gle between a finale corner of France and 
the whole" united mafs of the kingdom. 
This fact is certain,, nor is there a Vendeart 
r who 



^^^ INTRODUCTION. XXlli 

srho is ignorant, that the leading chiefs of 
Vendee were compelled by the threats 
:he revolted inhabitants to join the com- 
non caufe. At the pacification, the chiefs 
and the priefts were the fir ft who embraced 
with ardour the offers held out, and which 
the peafants were the laft to accept. 

It is true that when the nobility and 
clergy had once engaged in the infurreftion, 
they ufed every effort, and exerted all their 
influence to procure the fuccefs of their 
party. The civil war was produced by three 
caufes, all foreign to the pretended infinu- 
ations againft the nobles and priefts. 

The firft, beyond all doubt, was the ex- 
ecrable tyranny of the Jacobins, and the hor- 
rors of which France was too long a wi't- 
nefs and a victim. The Vendean, full of 
refpect for morality and the focial infti- 
tutions, which are its effects, could not view, 
without fhuddering, the total overthrow of 
the body politic ; he could not bear to 

trample 



XXIV INTRODUCTION. _ 

trample under foot what he had been ao 
cuftomed to refpect for fo many ages ; 
inimical to all innovation, he could not 
comprehend the philofophical jargon of our 
modern Brutufes ; and to ufe a Jacobinical 
expreffion, he was not *ripe for the Revo- 
lution.- 



The fecond caufe of the Vendean war 
was, the perfecution againft the Catholic 
Religion ; a perfecution as unjuft in its 
principles as it was dangerous in its con- 
fequences. In vain did Jacobin miffiona- 
ries iffue from the capital, and with the 
voice of demoniacs, attempt to infect the 
peaceful plains with their fanaticifm, and 
endeavour to perfuade thofe good peafants, 
that the Catholic Religion was a tifTue of 
fabulous nonfenfe, that there was neither 
a God, nor Immortality of the Soul, and 
that they ought to erect temples only to 
Reafon, and that this fame Reafon was only 
to be found in Jacobin clubs and taverns ; 
the inhabitants of the Vendee, furprifed at the 

novelty 



tNTfcODUCTIOK. XXV 

novelty of thefe maxims^ and the ftrange 
manners of thefe zealous apoftles, had no 
doubt of their intention to pervert and make 
them converts to revolutionary fanaticifm. AH 
their harangues were therefore fruitlefs, and 
tended to attach the Vendee more than ever 
to its ancient worfhip and its minifters ; 
they keenly felt indeed the blows aimed 
from every quarter at thefe objects of their 
refpect ; aod after having for a long while 
lamented them in filence, they at length 
oppofed rage to rage, and thus gave this 
difaftrous war a tincture of ferocity, with 
which it would never otherwise have been 
marked. Finally, the third caufe was the 
forced levy of three hundred thoufand men; 
this confcription decided the yet undetermined 
Vendean, and was, properly fpeaking, the 
firebrand of the general conflagration, I 
(hall explain this more fully in the fubfe- 
quent chapters, and I hope the reader will 
be fatisfied with the explanations which fhall 



there be given. 



The 



Xkvi INTRODUCTION-. 

The civil war broke out in 1792, and 
after a variety of defeats and victories, ter- 
minated in 1795. Thanks to the wifdom 
of the commiffioners, fent-by the French 
Government to prevent the ruin of a part 
of France ! But for their prudent and tem- 
perate meafures, how much blood would 
it have further coft, to reduce the Vendee ! 
They feemed to appear in the midft of 
the tempeft, like thofe lights which pre- 
cede the ceflation of ftorms ; and while 
they wiped away the tears of the unfor- 
tunate Vendeans with one hand, they *re- 
preffedthe efforts of thofe ferocious anarchifts, 
who, like devouring ravens s are gratified only 
when hovering over human carcaffes dnd 
rivers of blood. 

The Plan of this Work is as follows k 

Firft, What was the condition, popula- 
tion, and ftate of agriculture and commerce 
of the Vendee before the war ? - 

Second, The hiftorical lketch of that. war? 

Third, 



INTRODUCTION. XXV11 

Third, What is the prefent ftate of the 
Vendee ? 

Fourth, Which are the moft effe£hial means 
of reftoring what that country has loft, and 
even of increafing its agriculture and com- 
merce fo as to carry them to the higheft 
pitch of fplendour ? 

I have undertaken only a (ketch of this 
fubjeft, leaving it to be difcuffed more fully 
by able pens. If my ideas towards pro- 
moting the welfare of my country are ap- 
proved of by Government ; if they are fol- 
lowed by one law, one meafure, favourable 
to thofe whofe caufe I plead, I mall con- 
fider myfelf repaid for my labour, and fhall 
find my reward in the happinefs of the 
whole. 



CONTENTS 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Dedicatory Epiftle to the Vendue. - - iii 
Preface. --------- - - vii 

Introduction. .--,---- - xvii 

CHAPTER I. 

Origin of the Vendee. ------ t 

CHAPTER IL 

Extent, Population, and Commerce of the Ven- 
dee, previous to the War. - - - - 7 

CHAPTER III. 

War in the Vendee. — Campaign of 1792. 19 

CHAPTER IV. 
Campaign of 1793. ---- ---43 

CHAPTER V. 

Continuation of the Campaign of 1793 - 61 

CHAPTER VI. 
PafTage jki the Loire 105 



sxx CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VII. 

PAGE 

Campaign of 1794. - - - ' *'■ - - 127 
CHAPTER VIII. 

Of the interior Government— -of the Vendee 
during the War. — Anecdotes of the moll ce- 
lebrated Generals on each fide. - - - 149 

CHAPTER IX. 

Slate of Commerce and Agriculture in the Vendue 
fincethe War. ------- 163 

• SUPPLEMENT. 

CHAPTER I. 

Language of the Vendeans. - - - - 175 

CHAPTER, II. 
Of their private Qualities. - - - - 180 

CHAPTER III. 
Of their Diverilons. ------- 184 

CHAPTER IV. 

State of the Arts and Sciences in the Vendee, j-88 
CHAPTER V. 

Drefs of the Vendeans. - - - - - - l 93 



CONTENTS. xxxi 

CHAPTER VI. 

PAGE 

Their Weddings. - _----! ^ 

CHAPTER VII. 
Of Conjurers. - - 202 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Natural Hiftory. ------- 205 

CHAPTER IX. 

Principal means of the Reftoration of the 
Vendee. --------- 209 

CHAPTER X. 

Secondary means of Reftoration. - - - 245 

CHAPTER XL 

Conclufion. - 2^9 

NOTES, 
Containing the Juftificatory Papers alluded to 
in the Work. -- 265 



HISTORICAL and POLITICAL 

VIEW 

OF THE 

CIVIL WAR IN THE VENDUE. 



CHAPTER I. 

ORIGIN OF THE YEN DEANS. 

JT may perhaps be deemed extraordinary that 
I mould aflign an origin to the Vendeans, different 
from that which is common to the French : but 
when we meditate on the figure, manners, and cha- 
racter of this people, it will be difficult to confider 
them as any other than the defendants of thofe 
Scythian nations, which under the reigns of the laft 
Emperors of the Weft, overran Italy and the 
Gauls. Sigebert, Baronius, author of the Annals 
a of 



$ VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

of Aquitain, and J Gregory of Tours, inform us, 
that in the third and fourth ages of the Chriftianera, 
an army of Huns, Vandals, and other barbarous 
tribes, commanded by their king Chroccus, affifted 
and augmented by a horde of Picls, whofe Scy- 
thian origin was alfo common to the Huns; 
after having laid wafte part of the Eaftern pro- 
vinces of France, fell upon the coaft, and pillaged and 
ranfacked Poitou. Thefe barbarians did not long 
remain mafters of the provinces which they had 
conquered. Defeated by the troops fent againft 
them, the greateft part were deftroyedj and the 
remainder eftablifhed themfelves on the fea-coaft, 
in Lower Poitou, (the name given by the Picts to 
their conqueft) where they were enabled to receive 
afliftance from their countrymen, who had efta- 
blifhed themfelves in Scotland. In the confufion 
which reigns among authors who mention thefe 
events, it is not eafy for the reader to fix the exacl 
time of this invafion. If we are to credit Baro- 
nius, it happened in the year 261 ; but other 
writers have dated it at the beginning of the fifth 
century. The latter account feems the moft pro- 
bable to many modern hiftorians. However that 
may be, it is certain that the Huns, Vandals, and 
Pi&s, fubjected the weflern provinces of France, 
and that a part of them eftab;ifhed themfelves 

in 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 5 

in Lower Poitou and in the country of the Armo- 
rici, along the coaft of Brittany. It is to this 
point, which cannot be controverted, that we mud 
fix our attention. This fact has never met with 
any ferious oppofition; and is fpoken of by too 
many hiftorians to permit us to withold our af- 
fent. I will venture to add, that even were writers 
not agreed on this fubject, it would be impoffible to 
give credit to the common origin of the Vendeans 
and of the reft of the French. Let them read the 
defcriptions which Livy, Tacitus, Dion, Procupius, 
and Jornandes have left us of the Franks, the 
Gauls, and the different Scythian nations ; let them 
compare thefe with that of the Vendeans, and de- 
cide to which of thofe nations they bear the greateft 
refemblance. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE VENDEANS. 



The Vendean is of middling ftature, and welt 
made ; a large head, thick neck, of a pale com- 
plexion, black hair, and fmall but expreflive eyes ; 
fuch are the leading features of thefe people, 
their underftanding is flow but folid, their tern- 
B 2 per 



4 VIEW OF THE CIVIfi 

per is generous but irafcible ; their conceptions 
lefs quick than juft - s faithful to their engagements ; 
with fimple and even pure manners ; a ftrong at- 
tachment to religious mftitutions ; an extraordinary 
degree of taciturnity, but foftened by a great be- 
nevolence; minds more fitted for moderate though 
lefs lucrative employment, than for difficult la- 
bour ; a total indifference for the pleafures of 
the table ; great integrity in commerce ; little 
aptitude for the fine arts, but much for the ab- 
ftraft fciences ; of a bilious and melancholy habit 
of body ; with no philofophical principle, but a 
difdain for life, and fhoical contempt of death; 
flow of decifion in the ordinary occurrences of life, 
but capable, under the impulfe of paffion, of the 
mofh ardent activity, and of the mofl heroical ex- 
ploits : fuch is the character of the Vendean.* 

The 

* I mall here prefent the reader with a (ketch of the cha- 
racter of the Gauls and alfo of the Franks. 

" The Gauls are fair and of large ftature, they have natu- 
rally red hair, are ready to take up arms, but their courage 
forfakes them at the firft repulfe, and they want fpirit and re- 
folution in defeat. At the onfet they are more like lions than 
men, but at the fecond, they are worfe than women." 

POLYBIUS, CESAR, STRABO, AND JLIVY. 

' " The Franks are of lofty ftature* light hair, and blue eyes. 
They unite vigor and ftrength of body, to grace and beauty. 

Fond 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 5 

The reader will not expect every inhabitant of 
the Vendue to anfwer this defcription. A traveller 
who mould furvey thefe countries, and find fome 
of the people large, fair, and fprightly, in a word, 
not anfwering to the fketch I have given, will per- 
haps fufpecl: that I have been miftaken ; but I ap- 
peal from this decifion to the enlightened obferver, 
who, for many years has inhabited the country, 
and fubmit, without apprehenfion, to the judg- 
ment he mal 1 form. 

We find indeed amidfl the ancient conquerors of 
lower Poitou, a mixed race, defcended from 
fome remains of the ancient inhabitants, from the 
Vifigoths, who were eflablilhed there for fo long a 
time, and perhaps, from fome defcendants of thofe 
Franks who accompanied Clovis to the conqueft of 
Aquitain : but the greater part of the inhabitants 
bearing a refemblance to the foregoing defcription, 
we may, without fear of contradiction, aflert that 
they have a Scythian origin. 

Fond of war and fpoil, they cannot bear the name of peace* 
and feem bound together by one common ardor." 

CLAUDIAN, EUMENIUS, AND SIDONIUS-APPOLLINARIUS. 

Let the reader compare thefe defcriptions with that I have 
given of the Vendeans, and decide for himfelf. 

Upon 



m 



b View of the civil 

Upon the whole, in perufing this Chapter, the 
reader will be convinced that the Vendeans inherit 
more of the virtues than the vices of their anceftors. 
Be that as it may, have they loft, or have they gained 
by this origin ? I leave the reader of this Hiftorkal 
Eflay to determine the queftion. 



CHAPTER 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 



CHAPTER II. 

EXTENT, POPULATION, AND COMMERCE OF THE 
VENDEE PREVIOUS TO THE WAR. 

IT is rather difficult to fix any precife bounds 
to the Infurgent Country known under the name 
of the Vendee. The greater part of the towns, 
fuch as Fontenay, la Chateigneraie, Brefluire, and 
Thouars, having taken no part in the infurrection 
of the furrounding Communes, it would feem un- 
juft to enumerate them in the lift of the Vendean 
or infurgent diftricts. Neverthelefs, in order to 
fix fome limit to the feat of this War, I am com- 
pelled to lay down as its boundary, from fouth- 
weft to north, the courfe of the Loire, from Saumur 
to Nantes ; and from north to eaft and fouth, the 
great road from Saumur to Rochelle. At the fame 
time, I mud inform the reader, that nearly a fourth 
of this territory took no active part in the plans of 
the Vendeans, and that on the contrary the inha- 
bitants of the greater part of the towns included 
in this fpace enlifted in defence of the Republic. 
I (hall, neverthelefs, ftyle this country the Vendee 

for 



8 VIEW OF THE CIVIIi 

for reafons I have juft given. This territory con- 
tains nearly eight hundred and fixty fquare leagues, 
in which are fituated feven hundred communes, 
whole population before the war, was eftimated at 
eight hundred thoufand inhabitants. The popu- 
lation of fuch a fertile country, would without 
doubt have been much more confiderable, had 
the Intendants who were in pofTemon of the go- 
vernment thought proper to give it more of their 
attention ; but altogether employed in the immediate 
produce of their capitals, they never dreamt of the 
refources which were to be drawn from the fertility 
of the Soil; nor had their predeceffors regarded 
this part of their administration as of any import- 
ance, or as an object the leaft capable of improve- 
ment. The intendants, it is true, were not the 
only perfons to be blamed for this neglect, for it 
muft be admitted, that at that period, plans of 
agricultural improvement, from which our neigh- 
bours have reaped fo many advantages, were 
totally unknown among us. Trifles had too much 
engaged our attention to fufFer us to dwell with 
complacency on any thing which bore the marks 
of utility. If an intendant employed the refources 
of a whole province to build a theatre in its capital 
to lay out a magnificent fquare, or to decorate 
a public garden, he was fure of gaining general 

confideration 



WAR OF THE VENDEE* <J 

confideration and efteem ; his name, infcribed on 
thofe gaudy monuments, was crowned with immor- 
tality. On the contrary, had he employed this 
money in the clearing of land, in opening of 
canals, in draining marfhes, or in other objects 
of public utility, he would have been treated as 
an innovator, or as an economifl ; his avarice and 
pitiful conceptions been the fubjects of animad- 
verfion and ridicule ; he would have been at- 
tacked in pamphlets and lampoons, and, after 
having been overwhelmed by the cenfures of the 
moft confiderable perfons in the province, he 
would have been recalled and difgraced by the 
court. The monarchy in France under this point 
of view, refembled a ftripling, who found nothing 
great that did not dazzle, and nothing ufeful that 
was not covered with gold or filver lace. 



Utilium tardus provifor, prodigus aeris. 

Under the adminifixation of fuch intendants, 
the Vendee could never rife to any degree of 
great improvement, and with every kind of plenty 
at home there was no exportation ' for their fu - 
perfluities; commerce was ilagnant, and indus- 
try fettered at every ftep. Thus' abandoned, 

deftitute 



lO VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

deflitute of aid or influence ; deprived of the 
foftering care of Government, without which a 
province is as it were a defert, how was it poffible 
that the population of this country mould have 
increafed. The Vendee in this ftate refembled 
Holland, under the government of the Houfe of 
Burgundy; like this country it was poor, defpifed, 
as it were unknown, and, in fhort, fcarcely 
thought worthy of being numbered in the lift 
of provinces* There is a ftriking refemblance 
in feveral points between the fate of Holland 
and that of the Vendee. If, when roufed from 
long and difgraceful flumbers, the Dutchmen 
feveral times carried terror into the formidable 
empire of Philip II. the Vendean, afhamed of 
the yoke under which France groaned from the 
oppreffion of *Robefpierre, has with equal ardor, 
by prodigious efforts, and innumerable actions 
of heroifm, fhaken his coloffal power. Happy 
had the country no caufe to fried tears over 
its triumphs, and equally happy if the Jacobins 
had been the only victims of the difaftrous and 
difgraceful war, which they had provoked. I am 
far from being of the fame opinion with thofe 
revolutionary -philofophers, who have infifted that 
infurre&ion againft tyranny is the moil- facred of 
duties. They little fufpe&ed when they ad- 
vanced 



WAR OF THE VENDEE. 1* 

vanced this proportion that a part of France 
would fhortly turn this erroneous principle againft 
themfelves, and that the blood of thoufands of 
Frenchmen would mark its error and abfurdity. 
But to return to my fubject. 

The reader will bear in mind the limits I 
have laid down for the Vendue. Before we lpeak 
of its productions and commerce, I fhall divide 
it into two parts, in order to facilitate my ob- 
fervations. 1 mall therefore call the country 
fituated on this fide the Sevre Nantaife, the 
Lower Vendee, and that on the oppofite fide of 
the fame river, the Upper Vendee 

Although thefe two divifions refemble each 
other in the character, the manners of their 
inhabitants, and fome of their productions, there 
is a confiderable difference in the nature and 
fertility of their foil. The Lower Vendee, iituated 
on the fea coaft, was nothing more than a long 
range of marfhes, from which is extracted excellent 
fait, and which produces wheat of the firft qua- 
lity, flax, hemp, draught-horfes, and a few fheep 
and oxen. That part moil remote from the 
fea, produces excellent rye, timber for building, 

and 



12 TIEW OF THE CIVIL 

and fire wood, of which the country near the 
fea is deftitute. 



The Upper Vendee produces rye of the firft 
quality : it alfo rears excellent mules, which com- 
penfate to the inhabitants the want of draught 
liorfes, and which being in high repute, are pur- 
chafed at a dear rate by the Spaniards at the fairs 
of Champ -Deniers. Some cantons alfo rear fheep, 
which for fize, quality of the fleece, and good- 
nefs of fkfh, vie with the moft efteemed in 
France : * Thefe iheep are fent to Paris, for the 
confumption of the Metropolis, and their wool is a 
confiderable object of commerce with the neigh- 
bouring departments. The fat oxen, with which our 
larger!: cities are fupplied, of whofe fucculent juices 
the Englifh are fo proverbially fond, and on which 
foreigners in general place fo much value, are 
reared in this diftricl:, which alfo furnifhes Nor- 
mandy and the reft of France with draught- oxen ; 
thefe after three years growth are taken out 
of their rich paftures and fent into the interior 
provinces, where they are employed in agri- 
culture. 



* The fheep bred in the mountains of Mortagne are 
held in the higheft eftimation. 

The 



WAR OF THE VENDEE. l5 

The fine thread, called dougy, employed in the 
manufactories of Chollet in making fine handker- 
chiefs, is fpun from the flax of the Upper Vendee, 
which, as well as the hemp, is confidered as much 
fuperior to that grown in the lower part : and 
to form an idea of the prodigious quantity of 
wood with which this country is covered, the 
reader need only be informed that timber and 
fire wood are at a much cheaper rate than in any 
other part of France. Holland is alfo fupplied 
from the northern part with white wines and brandy, 
which, conveyed in carriages to Montrieul Bellay, 
are embarked on the Thou£, and conveyed from 
Saumur to Nantes, where the merchants freight 
their veflels with thefe commodities. Befides 
thefe neceffaries of life, the inhabitants gather 
a prodigious quantity of chefnuts, and apples, 
of which they make excellent cyder : their nu- 
merous dairies furnilh them with butter far fupe- 
rior to the beft in Brittany ; and the country 
alfo fupplies them with buck wheat, millet and 
turnips, on which they feed their cattle. 

On comparing the refpe&ive advantages which 
their different produ&ions give to the Upper 
and Lower Vendee, it is difficult to decide which 
is moft favoured by Nature. The ineftimable 

advantages 



14 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

advantages which the Lower Vendee derives from 
its vicinity to the Tea, feem at firfl fight to de- 
cide in its favor ; but if we confider the pefli- 
lential vapours which exhale from its marines, 
and the unwholefome qualities of its waters*, we 
rnuft admit, that thefe advantages are dearly pur- 
chafed. 

It mull be allowed, however, that the natives 
live to nearly the fame age as the inhabitants 
of the other provinces, and that the noxious 
air and unwholefome waters have no influence, 
except in perfons unaccuflomed to the climate. 

The Upper Vendee is watered by four or five 
rivers, of which the Thoue and the Sevre-Nan- 
taife are the moft considerable, and a great num- 
ber of fprings and fountains are alio included in 
this diftrict. 

The Lower Vendee is more favored in this 
refpedt than the Upper. Befides a great number 
of rivers, fuch as the Sevre, Niortaife, Authiel, 

* The infected air of the marfhes and the corrupted 
water which the inhabitants are under the neceffity of drink- 
ing, operated as fatally on the Republican army as the 
followers of Charette. 

and 



WAR OF THE VENDEE. 1$ 

and the Vendue, which run acrofs the country, 
it is bounded on one fide by the Loire, and on 
the other by the Sea. 

When we confider thefe numerous advantages, 
we might %e permitted to affirm, that this beau- 
tiful country might be made the mod flourishing 
part of France. 

Before we fpeak of the commerce, the exports, 
and imports of the Vendue, I ought to inform 
the reader, that the account already before him, 
as well as that which follows, is applicable only 
to the ftate of the country previous to the cruel 
war which has covered it with ruins and allies. 
Notwithstanding the benevolent efforts of the 
magiflrates which the government has chofen 
for the adminiftration of this province, many 
years muft pafs before the dreadful wounds in r 
flicled on its trade, population, and means of ex- 
iftence can be healed, unlefs the government, laying 
afide all feeble palliatives, mould adopt a general 
plan of reftoration, which as yet a deftructive 
war has not permitted it to accomplifh. 

Previous to the war, the Vendue exported 
annually nearly five hundred thoufand quintals 

of 



l6 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

of corn, three parts of which were rye,* fixty 
thoufand quintals § of hemp and flax, two thoufand 
and ninety ditto of wool, fix thoufand head of 
cattle, twenty thoufand draught-oxen, three thou- 
fand draught-horfes, two thoufand mules, ten 
thoufand fquare metres J of plank and timber, 
twenty-five thoufand fteres ^ of fire wood, eight 
hundred quintals of charcoal, twenty-fix thou- 
fand ditto of hay, twenty-fix thoufand ditto 
of butter and more than one hudred thoufand 
of fait, exclufive of the fifhery, chefnuts, millet, 
and other inferior forts of provifions, for which 
there was a considerable fale. 

With all thefe advantages, I am perfuaded 
that this commerce is capable of flill greater 
cxtenfion. 

The importations of the Vendee, before the 
war, for its internal confumption, were ten thou- 
fand hogftieads of wine ; fince the peace, this 
confumption is reduced a tenth, which is a fevere 

* Vide Chapter XT. 

J A quintal weighs one hundred pounds Englifh. 
X A metre is fomewhat more than three feet Englifh. 
"f A ftere is fomewhat more than a cube of three feet 
Englifh. 

blow 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 17 

blow to the trade of the neighbouring depart- 
ments; it imported likewife all the clothing of 
the inhabitants, as well as fluffs, filks, cottons, 
printed calicoes, painted cloths, fuflians, dreffed 
hides, iron, fleel, brafs, pewter, lead, caps, hats, 
iilk ftockings. fugar, oil, medicinal and other drugs, 
all forts of groceries, all kinds of articles of gold 
and filver, and in fhort, almofl every fpecies of 
manufacture and commerce, poneffing no other 
manufactories than thofe of paper fabricated at 
Mortagne, and of handkerchiefs at Chollet. 

The reader will obferve from what has been 
advanced, and by comparing the amount of the 
importations with the exportations, deducting the 
expence of cultivation and maintenance from the 
latter, that there remains but little advantage to 
the Vendean on the fcore of commerce. According 
to the calculation I have made, the benefit 
fcarcely exceeds a twentieth part. The caufes of 
this are, 

Firft, The want of great roads, and even of 

pathways. 

Secondly, The want of manufactures and navi- 
gable rivers in the interior of the country. 

d Third, 



lS VIEW OF THE CIVIL , 

Thirdly, The carelefsnefs and inattention of 
government. 

The Vendee therefore was not rich in coin, fince 
the inhabitants gave with one hand what they re- 
ceived with the other. Having no great capitalifls 
among them, they could not engage in extenfive 
commercial concerns. Remedy the defects I have 
Hated, and the exports of the Vendue will foon 
increafe in a tenfold proportion, its imports will 
fenfibly diminifh, or at leaft be confidered lefs bur- 
denfome, and the country now miferable and ex- 
haufted will become rich and flouriming. 

The plans which muft be put in execution to 
attain this defirable end, /hall be the fubjed: of 
the following pages. I have hitherto given a ftate- 
the population and commerce of the Vendue pre- 
vious to the war. Its flate fince the war (hall be 
treated of, after giving an hiftorical fummary of the 
three campaigns, which have laid this unfortunate 
country in ruins. 



CHAPTER. 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 19 



CHAPTER III. 

WAR IS THE VENDEE. CAMPAIGN OF I792. 

ALTHOUGH I fhall not pretend to write the 
hi (lory of the civil war which has defolated the 
Vendee, nor do I think the time is yet come when 
its hiftory ought to be written, I cannot forbear 
giving at leaft a flight fketch of thefe dreadful 
tranfactions. This war is too nearly connected 
with the fubject of which I am treating, to fuffer 
me to pafs it by unnoticed; and it would be wrong 
to conceal the caufes, when I am fpeaking of its 
effect. I enter, therefore, on this painful task by 
recommending myfelf to the indulgence and im- 
partiality of my reader. I am confcious that at 
every ftep I take, I fhall be contradicted by num- 
bers, who will all declare themfelves to have been 
eye witnefTes*. To fuch I fhall anfwer before- 
hand, 

* When the Baftille was taken, more than a thoufand eye- 

witnefles, who narrated the circumftances of this capture, 

d 2 gave. 



SO VIBW OF THE CIVIL 

hand, that thofe from whom I have collected 
thefe facts, have been alfo to my certain know- 
ledge eye witnefTes, who have appeared to me fo 
much the more worthy of credit, as they have 
conflantly lived in the Vendee during the whole 
of the war, and could have no interefl in de- 
ceiving me. 

I have already mentioned the gloomy difcontent 
wh'ch prevailed in the Vendee, from the commence- 
m. nt of the revolution. Attached by habit and 
cuftom to their ancient inftitutions, thefe fimple pro- 
vincials did not view without horror the fall of the 
ancient monarchy, and the religion of their fathers 
fapped to the very foundation. Friends to order, 
they beheld nothing in the revolution but anarchy 
and confufion, and whilft the majority of the French 
liflened with emhufiafm to the flattering hopes of 
their reprefentatives, and really believed that they 



gave us as many different accounts of the tranfaclions. The 
caufe of this variety in their accounts arifes, perhaps, from 
the want of judgment in thofe different witnefTes. Each 
had fixed his attention on fome fingle circumftance; no one 
had taken in the whole of the operations and movements. 
From what I have faid, therefore, it remits, that the evidence 
of one enlightened obferver is preferable to that of a thoufand 
inattentive fpectators. 

had 



^VAR IN THE VENDEF. 21 

bad already attained feveral of the promifed benefits, 
the Vendean loudly murmured at the progreis of 
impiety and injuftice, and declared in the jargon of 
his country that all the diforder would Lad to nothing 
good. This gloomy difcontent, the forerunner of the 
ftorm, and which was treated with contempt, might 
have been appeafed at firft ; but the jacobins who 
had seized upon the revolution, and who, intoxi- 
cated with power, feared no obflacle to their ambi- 
tious plans , thought no other meafure neceflary, in 
order to bring this corner of France to reafon, than 
to fend two sans- culottes miflionaries thither * ; they 
could not conceive that fo wretched a caste could 
refill fuch alluring baits as the deftru&ion of the 
land-owners, or refufe to take what was fo freely 
offered to them ± in a word, they deceived them- 



* The two fans-culottes miflionaries to whom the author 
alludes were Genfonne, deputy from the Gironde, and one of 
of the moft refpectable members of the firft Legiflative 
body : the other was Gallois, late envoy to England, and 
now member of the Tribunate. Genfonne fuffered death, 
with the twenty-two deputies of the party called Girondift, 
who were the avowed enemies of the Jacobins. Thefe 
men fo well fucceeded in their mifiion at the time, that 
having pacified the country, they returned to Paris with the 
honorable title given them by the inhabitants of the Vendee, 
of " Angels of peace".— -2V<?/* of the T ran flat v. 

iclves 



22 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

felves, and their miftake has coft us nearly as much 
blood as the (hooting and drowning fcenes and other 
horrors which, for fo long a time, defolated France. 

The paflions of the Vendeans were already in- 
flamed. Difcontented with the government, and 
abhorring its bloody principles, the greater part of 
the decrees againft the clergy were regarded by 
them as fo many crimes. Neverthelefs, pondering 
in their hearts the projects which they had planned, 
they remained filent obfervers of the quarrels between 
the expiring monarchy and the infant republic. 
With fuch difpofkions, a fpark was only wanting 
to produce the explofion, and in the fermentation 
which prevailed in France at that time, with thou- 
fands of firebrands croffing each other from every 
direction, this fatal fpark was not long concealed. 

At length, the fatal epocha of terror took place ; 
the jacobins declaring that nothing was wanting 
to Frenchmen but bread and the fword, feized on 
the property of the rich, rolled in debauchery 
and drunkennefs, and, under the guife of Spar- 
tans, furpafTed in their nocturnal orgies the 
fenfuality of the Sybarite. All thofe who were 
not of their party, were profcribed by thefe 
fanatical apoflles of equality, thrown into dun- 
geons 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 2D 

geons in the name of liberty, and fiaughtered, 
while their murderers were invoking univerfal 
fraternity. Thefe new Phsetons, with ignorance 
equal to their cruelty, by their unikilful manage- 
ment of the car of government, roufed againft them 
all the neighbouring nations, and by their folly 
lighted up a general name which, perhaps, would 
ftill have confumed Europe, if the hand of an hero 
had not at length extinguifhed it. * 

No fooner did the Vendeans experience the terrible 
effects of this deftructive fyftem, than roufed by 

* I did not wait to manifeft my admiration for this great 
man till he was placed at the head of government. On the 
taking of Mantua I addrefled an ode to him. 

Note of the Author. 

Many ftiared the admiration of the author at the epocha he 
mentions ; but the impartial reader will recollect that when 
Bonaparte was placed at the head of government, the greater 
part of the coalition had been filenced, and the ifTue of the war, 
from the events which had then taken place, was no longer 
doubtful. With refpect to the Jacobins exciting the Po- 
tentates of Europe by their cruelties, it muft be remem- 
bered, that the war broke out during the monarchy, and 
that the manifefto of the Duke of Brunfwick preceded the 
reign of terror. The Author feems to have mifraken the 
effect for the caufe, and in his zeal againft Jacobinifm, to 
have confounded very oppofite parties and epochas in the 
revolution. — Note of the Travjlator. 

the 



24 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

the old leaven which had fo long fermented amongfl 
them, they flew to arms, without confidering the 
frightful precipice on which theyftood, or the dread- 
ful wounds they were about to inflict on their country. 

The firft fpark of this dreadful conflagration 
difplayed itfelf in the Lower Vendee. The 
hiftory of the hair drerTer, named Gafton, is too 
well known to need repetition here; it will be 
enough to obferve, that from this infhant the in* 
furrection aflumed a moil formidable afpect. 
The firft body of republican troops fent againft 
the infurgents were completely defeated, and this 
event, while it ferved to increafe the courage of 
the conquerors, (truck a mortal blow at France. 
In an inftant, the infurrection fpread through the 
whole of the Lower Vendee ; the greater part of 
the towns excepted, the inhabitants of which, more 
cautious and prudent, not only refufed to join, 
but even made feveral efforts to crufh this infur- 
rection in its infancy. A great number of citizens, 
alfo, averfe to diforder and bloodfhed, fought re- 
fuge from the impending ftorm in the neigh- 
bouring departments. 

The Upper Vendee was in infurreclion at 
almoft the fame inftant. The requifition of 

thirty 



WAR OF THE VENDEE. 2 5 

thirty thoufand men had irritated in a fingular 
degree the inhabitants of this part of France, 
They had prefumed that their remaining quiet was 
a fufficient act of complai lance towards the revo- 
lution, but to be called on to defend an adminif- 
tration they abhorred was deemed an act of ab- 
furdity and infolence. 

The purfuit directed againil the refractory 
militia, was the fignal of general revolt. The 
orders for thefe perfecutions had been fcarcely 
difpatched from Chatillon and Breffuire, when 
thefe two towns found themfelves almoft inftantly 
furrounded by an innumerable number of half- 
armed peafants, without leaders, without any 
fettled plan, without any motive than that of 
intimidating by the difplay of their numbers, 
and, in ihort under the idea that the capture 
of Breffuire "and Chatillon would fpread alarm 
throughout France, and caufe the decrees of which 
they complained to be repealed. 

Chatillon, carried by thefe numberlefs hordes, and 
Breffuire, clofely preffed, demanded aid in the moll 
urgent manner from the neighbouring towns and 
even from the adjoining departments. The go- 
vernment, till this moment, feemed to have taken 
d no 



2 6 TIEW OF THE CIVIL 

no notice of them, as the revolt in the Lower 
Vendee had caufed but little fenfation at Paris ; 
but on the news of this fecond infurreclrion, the 
capital, the provinces, the fuperior officers of the 
army, and every perfon took the alarm. 

In an inftant the roads were lined with National 
Guards, the only moveable troops at that time, and 
the general rendezvous was fixed at BrefTuire. 
This town withftood the daily attacks of the 
infurgents, and bravely feconded by the two com- 
panies of chaffeurs and grenadiers of Thouars, 
the guard of Airvaut, and other patriots, defended 
itfelf with courage and fuccefs. In the mean time 
the departmental National Guards haftened from 
all quarters, and in a fhort time reached the gates 
of Brefluire. The battle which enfued did not 
laft long; the Vendeans were completely routed 
and put to flight. I have already ftated that they 
were without plan, or any fixed leader. The 
commanders were divided among themfelves, and 
had not the fmalleft idea of acting together; 
from the commencement of the engagement they 
fought only for their refpe&ive fafety, leaving the 
greater part of this ill-armed mafs, a prey to the 
patriots, who preffed them on all fides, and 

cut 



WAR OF THE VENDEE, 27 

cut to pieces without mercy all who had not 
efcaped. 

I mail not attempt to paint the horrors which 
ftained this victory, and mall pafs over in filence 
the murder of women and infants, whofe mangled 
limbs, {tuck on the points of bayonets, were 
carried about in triumph. Unhappily, thefe 
horrors are infeparable from civil war, and in 
general are the deeds of a few mifcreants, and 
not of the major part of the army ; it would 
therefore be an injuftice to impute it to them. I 
fhall here mention one fact in fupport of what 
I have advanced, when I fpoke of the character 
of the Vendeans, and which will ferve to (how 
to what a length they carried that unconquerable 
ftubbornefs, and floical contempt of death which 
I have already noticed. 

After the battle of B refill ire, pardon and life 
had been offered to a great number of thefe 
miferable people, on condition of crying vive 
la Nation ; a few fubmitted to it, but the reft ob- 
fbinately refufed the proffered pardon, and threw 
themfelves on their knees, ready to receive the' fatal 
blow ; and without difplaying the fmalleft emotion, 
requefted no other favour, than that, after death 
d 2 their 



25 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

their bodies might be covered with a fufficient 
quantity of earth to protect them from the voracity 
of dogs and wolves. This trait, which occurred 
feveral times during the war, has been teftified to 
me by more than a hundred perfons, who were 
eye witnefTes. The revolutionifts * attributed this 
extraordinary firmnefs to fanaticifm, a term which 
has been applied to the Catholic religion, for fome 
years pail ; but I think every honefl mind will 
view with admiration fuch fortitude in an ignorant 
and low-bred peafant, of which the Zenos and 
Epictetufes of old wore only the mafk. 

I cannot help noticing in this place the ridi- 
culous reports circulated by the Jacobins at Paris, 
and which were credited by a great number of 
the badauds* ; that the Vendeans imagined they 
mould return to life again at the end of three 
days, and that the leaden- bullets of their enemies 
would be changed into balls of cork. The Ven- 
deans were for a long while amufed with thefe 
ridiculous flories, which thofe who circulated them 
did not believe, but which it was their intereft to 
promulgate. But to return to my fubject. 

» A term of ridicule for a Parifian, like that of Cockney 
for an inhabitant of London. 

Had 



WAR OF THE VENDEE. 29 

Had the patriotic army been ikilfulfy com- 
manded, the battle of BrefTuire would have put 
an end to the civil war. To effect this, they 
had only to punifh a few of the principal leaders, 
grant a general pardon to the reft, eftablifh a fyftem 
of prudence, good faith, and of feverity tempered 
by mercy and juftice, and finally, ftation a de- 
tachment of troops in each canton, to awe the 
mal-contents. 

Such a line of conduct would have infallibly 
met with fuccefs, but at this melancholy period, 
few knew how to obey, and all were eager to 
command : the departments, the diflricts, the 
clubs, the different commiflioners, the inferior 
officers, and even the private foldier, each in their 
turn thwarted the plans and views of their generals, 
from the preference which they gave to their own. 
In a word, the anarchy of the capital had dif- 
fufed itfelf into the armies, and in thofe difaflrous 
times, victory was lefs to be attributed to the 
fkilful conduct of our generals, than to the in-, 
vincible courage of our troops. 

The patriotic army, principally compofed of 
fathers of families, inftead of following this plan, 

dictated 



50 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

dictated by prudence, abandoned the theatre of 
war the inftant the firft tumult had fubfided. 
Anxious to fee their homes and families, each 
perfon carried back the news of their triumphs, 
and at length left only a fmall garrilbn at Bref- 
fuire. Nothing could be more impolitic than 
fuch conduct, as the event now proved ; for the 
Vendeans, recovered from their firft alarm, flew 
*to arms, and the war became more bloody 
than ever. 

To repair this fault, the government fent a 
general with troops to Chollet : General Ligo- 
nier -marched alfo with an army towards Vihiers. 
But too weak to Item the torrent, thefe troops 
only ferved to difcipline the rebels, in the num- 
ber of actions and ikirmifhes which had taken 
place, and which were not attended with any de- 
cifive confequences. 

Meanwhile, BrefTuire, more prefTed than ever, 
implored again the affiflance of her neighbours. 
The firft town that flew to her affiflance was 
Thouars. There was in that town at the time a 
chief of batallion named Quetineau, who was 
looked on by the inhabitants as their fellow- 
citizen ; he had obtained leave to quit his regi- 
ment, 



WAR OF THE VENDEE* 5t 

ment, which was then in the low countries, in 
order to fettle fome family affairs in Thouars. 
The inhabitants thought it would be politic, con- 
fidering the circumftances in which they were 
placed, to choofe him commander of the National 
Guard. Knowing alfo the courage of this officer, 
the choice was unanimoufly affented to, and the 
minifter of war, to whom a difpatch was fent, con- 
ferred on Quetineau the rank of Commandant 
General of the divifion of BrefTuire. When he 
reached this town he affembled about four thou- 
fand men ; but his firft exploits furnifhed fufficient 
proofs of his incapacity *. Frequent fkirmiihes, 
but none decifive ; bravery in both general and 
foldiers, but without any enlarged views, or fet- 
tled plan of operations : fuch was the mode of con- 
dueling this war, and it might readily be perceived 
at firft fight, that the glory of pacifying the Vendee 
would not fall to the lot of for inexperienced a 
commander. 

On the other hand, the infurrection in the 
department of the Maine and Loire, affumed an 

* Quetineau has feveral times declared that he had not 
abilities for a general ; but it would have been equally 
difficult for a more experienced commander to have ter- 
minated this war, with an army as badly difciplined as- 
that of which they had given him the command. 

afpect 



i>2 VIEW OF THF CIVIL 

afpect ftill more ferious ; Cathalineau, Domao-ne; 
and Bonchamps, ikilful and daring leaders, had 
infpired their foldiers with an enthufiafm, which 
the infurgents of the diftrict of Chad lion had not 
yet felt. The infurrection alfo increafed in the 
Lower Vendee ; where Charette, who had for fome 
time refufed to declare in favor of the royal party, 
at length acceded to the willies of the Vendeans, 
and took the command. In order to difcipline 
his. army, he engaged every day in flight ikir- 
mifhes, the preludes of thofe bloody battles which 
have more than once brought France to the very 
verge of ruin, and inflicted wounds, the fears of 
which will long remain. 



Although the plan which I have adopted does not 
permit me to enter into a minute detail of the events 
of which I have juft given a fhort fketch, I flatter 
myfelf that the greater part of my readers will find 
their curiofity gratified by obferving in what manner 
and by what, fteps, a fpark kindled in a part of 
the Vendue produced a conflagration which had 
nearly fpread over the whole of France. 

In 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 55 

In the courfe of the work, I have already ftated 
the caufes of this civil war ; I have lliewn by what 
means the firft infurrection of 1792 was quelled, 
and the errors by which it was fuffered to revive. 
A fatal prefumption plunged the whole of the 
country into a terrible war, in which it has fpilled 
its ben: blood ; nor was it conjectured that any 
Vendean would be daring enough to erect the 
ftandard of revolt, after the dreadful examples, and 
fevere punifhments which had been inflicted on the 
rebels. Here was the mi flake ; the fire was only 
covered with afhes, and the explofion was great in 
proportion to the compreflion. The firft blow pro- 
ceeded from the banks of the Loire, from the 
town of St. Florent-le-Vieux. 

Onthe 1 2th of March, 1793, the ivoung men of 
the neighbouring communes were ordered to af- 
femble in the diflrict of this town, to recruit the 
republican armies, and to form a part of the levy of 
three hundred thoufand men. Enraged at this 
order, they afTembled with the intention of caufing 
it to be revoked, or of difputing its authority. The 
administrators endeavoured to ufe the means of per- 
fuafion, but their attempts were interrupted by 
hillings. A field-piece which was pointed againft 
the mutineers, only ferved to increafe their audacity. 
f The 



^4 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

The diforder grew more tumultuous, and the repub- 
lican commandant having ordered the cannon to 
be fired, feveral of the young men were wounded. 
This blow ferved as a fignal ; the^ infurgents fell in 
crowds upon the republicans, and feized the field- 
piece ; after putting them to flight, the diftrict 
was plundered, the archives were deftroyed, the af- 
fignats carried off, and the victorious band paffed 
the reft of the evening in the neighbouring public- 
houfes, finging their triumphs, and fpending the 
aflignats. 

The infurgents difperfed the next morning, each 
one taking the road to his own houfe. The infur- 
irectioir now feemed to have been over, and pro- 
bably nothing farther would have etlfued, if one of 
the revolted communes, Pin-en-Mauge, had not 
numbered amongfhits inhabitants one of thofe enter* 
prifing heads and daring minds which fport with 
danger, and whofe proper element feems to be that 
of political florms. Cathelineau who, under the 
drefs of a carman, poflefTed both elevation of fen- 
timent and intrepidity of character, no fooner heard 
of the. affair of St. Florent, than he conceived the 
project of putting it to advantage, and railing the 
whole of the Vendee. Without calculating the 
chances of fo ram an enterprife, without comparing 

his 



WAB. IN THE VENDEE. 55 

Jbis weak powers with the vaft refources of his 
adverfaries, and without fathoming the depth of the 
abyfs into which he mould plunge his fellow- 
citizens, this enthufiaft traverfed the country, 
placed himfelf at the head of the malcontents, 
formed an army, and urged them to refinance. 
The poft of Jalais, advantageoufly fituated upon 
the heights of a chateau, in an intrenchment 
defended by a fix pounder, called the Miffionary, 
was guarded by a republican detachment of eighty 
men, who did not in the lead expect an attack, 
when a confufed noife announced the approach 
of the enemy. The republicans prepared for 
defence, and fired, but without wounding any 
perfon : the intrepid Cathelineau, at the head of 
two hundred men, who compofed his- little army, 
ordered the quick march. In ten minutes the 
intrenchment was carried, the patriots put to 
flight, and their chiefs made prifoners.. The enemy 
feized upon the cannon, arms, and ammunition, 
but this was only a prelude to an engagement 
of more importance ; for without allowing his 
people time to reft, Cathelineau left Jalais at 
noon, and marched towards Chemille, * two leagues 
diftant from the field of battle. This town was 
defended by two hundred men and three cul- 
e % vermes* 



56 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

verines, and feemed out of the reach of a coup- 
de-main. 

The enemy, however, continued to advance,, 
while the republicans pointed their artillery, and 
endeavoured to affright the rebels by a well adjufted 
fire. Without flopping to anfwer them with the 
piece they had captured at Jalais, the infurgents 
fell upon their adverfaries with impetuofity, and 
after a combat of half an hour, Chemille was 
carried by ftorm. A great number of prifoners, 
the three culverines, the ammunition, and a part 
of the mufketry, fell into the hands of the 
conquerors. 

Such was the refult of the firft day. The 
army of Cathelineau, fo few in number at firft,. 
was now augmented by a croud of malcontents, 
who waited only for an opportunity to declare 
themfelves, and he began to reckon his troops 
by thoufands. 

On the 15th of March, Cathelineau marched 
upon Chollet ; whilft he was on the point of at- 
tacking this town, he was joined by a cofinderable 
body of men brought from the environs of Mau- 
ievrier, and commanded by the celebrated Stofflet. 

It 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 5j 

It would have been very difficult for fo weak a 
garrilbn as that of Chollet to make any long re* 
fiftance againft a victorious army, fo the engage- 
ment was ipeedily terminated. The republicans, 
routed at the firft attack, retreated to the town, 
into which the conquerors entered pell-mell with 
them. The capture of Chollet, by reviving the 
reputation of the royalift army, provoked the in- 
furrection of the whole of the Vendee, and the 
war now aflumed a different afpecl:. Hitherto 
the government had regarded theie rebellious 
movements only as partial difturbances very eafy 
to be fupprened, but, after this blow, they dif- 
covered that they had to quell a civil war, which 
threatened the deftrudtion of the State. Inde- 
pendent of the thoufands of recruits which the 
conquerors gained by this victory, they took a 
confiderable quantity of arm^ and ammunition, 
and four field pieces, with the famous piece 
Marie-Jeanne. The indefatigable Cathelineau di- 
rected his march the following day towards 
Vitriers, which town was the fame day evacuated ; 
but the infurgents took nothing here except a few 
waggons loaded with the papers of the diflrid, 
of which they made cartridges. After fo many 
engagements, the Vendeans flood in need of a 

little 



58 VIEW OF THE CIVIlS 

little reft, and accordingly feparated, in order t® 
fpend the week of Low-Sunday. The different 
attacks of the republicans had been inerTe&ive to 
lead them to change their plan ; for feven hun- 
dred men, who left Angiers, to fcour the country > 
met with no refiftance, and it was therefore hoped 
that the conflagration would be extinguished 
without any further effed : but this, hope foon 
proved deceitful. 

On the 9th of April, the royalift army advanced 
upon Chollet, and, after affembling all their 
forces, marched on the 1 ith towards Chemille. 
Four thoufand republicans, polled in two columns, 
defended themfelves with, the greater!: courage ; 
but, furrounded by a fuperior force* were, at 
length compelled to yield. A thoufand men, 
captured or difabled* was the refult of this victory. 
Meanwhile, the Vendeans, unable to undertake 
any further enterprise from the want of powder, 
were obliged to fall back on Beaupreau, and 
from thence upon Tiffanges, in order to provide 
themfelves with powder and recruits. An event 
fatal for the Republic relieved them from this 
embarraffment. General Laroche-Jaquelin had 
taken at the battle of Aubiers feveral barrels of 
powder, and finding the army at Tiffanges, he 

ihared 



•WAR Itt THE VENDUE 5{) 

fliared with it his ammunition. On the 1 7th 
of April, they again marched to Chollet, of 
which four hundred grenadiers of Saumur had 
taken poneffion ; thefe men, at the fight of fo 
fuperior a force, fhut themfelves up in the Chateau 
of Bois-Grotteau, where they were blockaded by 
the royalifts. 

Meanwhile, the Government obferving the daily 
progrefs of the infurgents, took vigorous tnea- 
fures to crufh the revolt. A confiderable army 
marched towards Vitriers in front of the Ven- 
deans, whilft another, no lefs formidable, advanced 
upon Beaupreau to take them in rear. Had thefe 
meafures been well executed they would infallibly 
have rooted out the fpirit of rebellion ; but 
events of a very different nature were deflined 
to take place. On the nineteenth the royalifts 
difcovered their enemies advancing upon them, 
in the beft order poffible, on the fide of Vitriers. 
Cathelineau on this drew up his troops, and 
fell upon the republicans with an intrepidity 
which aftonifhed them : they neverthelefs remained 
firm, and defended themfelves with bravery ; but 
furrounded on all fides, attacked in front, flank, 
and rear, they were obliged at length to fly. 
The enemy purfued, and made a great flaughter. 

All 



4o VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

All their artillery and ammunition fell into the 
hands of the conquerors, and at the conclufion 
of the engagement, the garrifon of Bois-Grotteau 
was obliged to furrender prifoners of war. 

During this time, the fecond republican army 
was making confiderable progrefs on the fide of 
Beaupreau ; detachments occupied Chemille, 
St. Florent, and Mont-Re veau, when Cathelineau, 
collecting his troops, arrived on the 23d of April, 
at Beaupreau, and offered battle to the enemy, 
The republicans fought with courage, but their 
bravery could have no effect on men, who fearing 
no danger, threw themfelves headlong upon their 
cannons and bayonets. They were forced to 
give way, and, purfued by the enemy, were 
compelled to crofs the Loire, leaving the in- 
furgents in poffemon of fix pieces of cannon, 
and feveral waggons loaded with gun powder : 
a lofs the more fatal, as it furnifhed the Vendeans 
with new means of triumph. The fuccefs of 
this day at Beaupreau, led the conquerors to fup- 
pofe that they were invincible, and fpread fuch 
a confirmation among the vanquished, that for 
four months they did not dare to advance into 
the country^ After this vi&ory, the royalifts 

returned 



WAR IN THE YENDEE, 4 1 

returned to their homes. On the 26th they re- 
ceived orders to mufter at Chollet, which was 
the place of rendez-vous for the projected expe- 
dition againft BrefTuire, Argenton, and Thouars, 
the fuccefs of which will be mown in the fol- 
lowing pages. I mail finifh this digreffion, by 
obferving that the Generals Bonchamps and D'Elbee 
firft carried arms in the Vendee, at the affair of 
Chemille, on the nth of April, 1793, and that 
Cathelineau was mortally wounded at the fiege 
of Nantes, 



CHAPTER 



VIEW OF THE CIVIL 



CHAPTER IV. 



CAMPAIGN OF 179,5. (APRIL q5). 

VtE have now reached the Spring of 1793, 
a year that will be ever regarded in the annals 
of France, as one of the mod difaftrous epochas 
of its empire. 

I have before mentioned, that Bonchamps, 
Domagne, and other chiefs had, as it were, or- 
ganifed and difciplined their troops in the various 
ikirmilhes, of which Vitriers, Chollet, and Coron 
had been the theatre, and where the firft en- 
gagements had taken place. Bonchamps had 
become mafler of Chollet, and marched againft 
Ligonier, who, defeated in feveral engagements, 
was obliged to retreat towards Doue. Preffed 
on a!) fides, and too weak to contend with the 
infurgents, he ordered Quetineau to join him with 
bis army. Inftead of taking the road, which, 

though 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 43 

though the longeft, was the moll fafe, Quetineau. 
in obedience no doubt to the order of his general, 
ventured to crofs the enemy's coantry. He ao 
cordingly dire&ed his march towards Aubiers, 
but was attacked unawares in this village by a 
body of the rebels, and his army thrown into 
confufion. 

Quetineau performed prodigies of valour, and 
fought as a private foldier ; his valour was ufelefs, 
his orders were no longer obeyed, and the rout 
became general. The fate of his army would have 
been decided, had not a few regular troops formed 
themfelves into a fquare battalion on the field of 
battle, and fuftained the fire of the enemy, until 
the fugitives had found fhelter in BrefTuire. This 
vi&ory of Aubiers, which fpirited up the Vendeans 
and gave them frefh courage, was only the prelude 
of thofe more brilliant actions which raifed the Ven- 
dee to the pinnacle of its greatnefs, but which, by 
exaggerating its hopes, haflened its ruin. Laroche- 
Jaquelin, a celebrated chieftain of whom we fhall 
hereafter have occafion to (peak, carried arms 
for the firft time in this engagement. Meanwhile 
Quetineau, harafTed, difcouraged, continually con- 
tradicted and even infulted by an undifciplined 
troop of Marfeillais who had joined him at BrefTuire,, 
g 2 after 



44 view of the ervit 

after the defeat of Aubiers, and fearing that he 
fhould be blocked up in a town that was open and 
defencele£>,* rcfolved to evacuate this weak poft y 
and retreat to Thouars. This town, built upon 
a hill, almoft entirely furrounded by the river of 
Thoue, formed a military poft, one of the beft in 
the whole of the Vendee*. It was a wife meafure 
in Quetineau to take porTeffion of this place, 
and he had juft time fufficient to put his plan in 
execution; for the day after he left BrerTuire, it was 
taken by twenty- five thoufand of the enemy - y 
Argenton furrendered alfo the next day, and 

* There is not a town in ci-devant Poitou, more capable 
of being fortified, and whofe position is fo ftrong as that of 
Thouars. Situated on a hill commanded by no fuperior 
height, it is watered by the Thoue, which rs fordable only 
• in one place, and running in a crooked direction, defends 
the fouthern and weftern fides. This ancient town was for- 
merly regarded as the key of Anjou and Poitou. We read 
in the annals of Nicholas Gilles, that the famous Pepin, during 
the war againft Gaifrs, duke of Aquitain, chofe the town of 
Thouars, at that time known by the name of Theodad, as his 
depot. It fuftaihed a year's fiege againft the famous Du- 
Guefclin, and what will fufficiently fhew the importance attached 
to the capture of this place, is that the old king Edward III. 
who had received with indifference the account of the furrender 
of Niort, Saint-Moifent, Fontenay, and even Poitiers, the inftant 
he was informed of this place being befieged, Hew to its affiftance- 
with eighty fhips. 

the 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 45 

the greater part of the garrifon was maffacred. 
In fhort, on the 5th of May, the Vendean army, 
reinforced by more than ten thoufand men, and 
commanded by Bonchamps, D'Elbee, Laroche 
Jaqueline, and Lefcures, whofe prefence infpired 
them with frefh ardor, boldJy advanced towards 
Thouars. In the lift of their chiefs was the 
celebrated Stofflet, whom capricious fortune had 
raifed from the fituation of game-keeper, to the 
civil and military command of a province. Never 
had the Vendeans, fince the commencement of 
the war, feen an army fo numerous, nor fo well 
fupplied with arms and artillery. The enemy 
could enter Thouars only by two bridges, which 
were ordered to be cut, and by a ford, fituated 
below the village of Verine. Quetineau had oc- 
cupied this poll with the belt of his troops, and 
the remainder of his army was drawn up in line 
of battle, about the diftance of a cannon fliot 
from the walls of the town. His army was 
compofed of about fix thoufand men, all de- 
termined to perform their duty : the event of 
the battle evinced the folly of this arrangement. 
At fix o'clock in the morning, Thouars was 
attacked, and a numerous column of the Ven- 
deans advanced to the above-mentioned ford. 
The republicans refilled fuccefsfully this attack. 

and. 



&& VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

and would without doubt have maintained the 
poft, had they received timely afliftance, and 
hkewife if the cavalry of Bonchamps had not fwam 
acrofs the river, and taken them in flank. This 
movement threw the patriotic party into con- 
fufion, and nearly half of them fell at the pofti 
they had fo bravely defended. The enemy, mat- 
ters of the paffage, pufhed forward to the walls, 
whilft StoiHet by a falfe attack on the new bridge, 
kept in check a part of Quetineau's force. This 
general difplayed more coolnefs on the above 
cccafion than he did at the battle of Aubiers. 
Followed by a part of his army, he ipared the 
rebels half the road, and a battle enfued, the 
fate of which hung doubtful for feveral hours. At 
length the Vendeans, who were in much greater 
numbers, by extending their front, formed a kind 
of femicircle, and hemmed in the republicans, 
who, preffed on all fides, retreated fighting, but 
were in the end compelled to fly for fafety into 
the ramparts of the town. The general had 
preferved his courage and coolnefs during the 
action, but the inftant he perceived his men falling 
back on all fides, he was confufed, and inflead 
■of directing the retreat towards Loudon and 
Poitiers, he gave no orders, but {hut himfelf up 
in the town, which was carried by afTault in about 

• an 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. \j 

an hour after. The general, the army, the artil- 
lery, and all the ammunition, fell into the hands 
of the viclors. 

Whoever mall hereafter write the hiilory of 
the Vendee, will no doubt examine whether this 
general fold his army to the infurgent leaders, 
and will consider the reafons for and againfi: this 
charge. This much I will fay, that the treafoa 
does not appear to me probable, or at leaft, if 
Quetineau did betray his country, he was certainly 
the moll ftupid of all traitors *. 

In the Lower Vendee the fuccels of the infur- 
gents was by no means fo brilliant «f. Charette 

* If Qnctiiieau betrayed his country, he rnuft have beeri 
influenced by two motive?, either by the hopes of gain, or by 
the defire of overturning the Republic, for no perfon after 
all would become a traitor without a profpect of benefit. Had 
the treafon been fuccefsful, he ought to have received his re- 
ward, or inlifted under the banners of the enemy. Never- 
thelefc, the inftant he efcaped from the hands of the royalifis, 
he prefented himfelf to Santerre, to the military commiffiens, 
in the midft of the clubs moil bent on his deftrucYion, de- 
manding above all an examination of his conduct, and de- 
livering himfelf into the hands of his judges. I would aik 
any man of honor if this is the conduct of a traitor ? 

f See Note, No. L 

bad 



45 VIEW GF THE CIVIL 

had to contend with a formidable army, which 
palfied all his efforts. The only exploit of the 
Vendean army was the capture of Machecoul, 
and which victory was fullied by the moft un- 
exampled cruelty : they bafely maflacred all their 
prifoners ; and fathers of families, who were un- 
armed, were flaughtered without mercy. This atro- 
cious as well as impolitic conduct, gave this ftruggle 
the character of a war of extermination *. 

Notwithftanding what was afTerted at the time 
by the Jacobins, the leaders in the Upper Vendee 
were far from imitating fuch horrible conduct. 
Not a citizen was rnaiTacred, not a woman violated, 
and in a town taken by ftorm, the Vendeans 
only took what was neceiTary for their fubfiflence, 
and committed no excefs, except in the article 
of wine. 

Charette, in the mean time, clofely preffed by 
the republican army which was pofted at Fontenay, 
dared not undertake any meafure of confequence, 
but immediately on hearing of the fuccefs of the 
battle of Thouars, requefted the chiefs of the Upper 
Vendee to come to his affiflance. Thefe, therefore, 

$ See Note, No. II. 

commenced 



WAR IN THE VENDEE* ig 

commenced their march and directed their courfe 
towards Parthenay, the gates of which town were 
thrown open to them ; the next day, they marched 
to Chataignerie, where four thoufand republicans 
determined to await them, but who overwhelmed 
by fuperior forces, had ibon reafon to repent their 
temerity. The next day, the conquerors were 
joined by Charrette, and both armies marched 
againft Fontenay. Here the engagement was re- 
newed i the republicans though inferior in num- 
bers, but having the advantage of pofition, drove 
back the infurgents, and attacking them both in 
front and on their flanks, gained in the fpace of 
two hours a complete victory. The Vendear;?, 
panic {truck, fled on all tides in diforder ; a fmgle 
officer, by a prodigious effort, laved two pieces of 
cannon ; the reft of the artillery fell into the hands 
of the conquerors. This defeat, however, inftead 
of abating, only ferved to inflame the courage of 
their principal leaders, and in a few days, Lefcures, 
Laroche-Jaquelin, Bonchamps, and other chiefs, 
again appeared with an army under the walls of 
Fontenay. The republicans fought defperately, 
but the Vendeans oppofing them with equal fury, 
victory at length crowned their efforts. Fontenay * 

* See Note, No. III. 

H was 



5o VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

was taken, a great part of the patriotic army was 
furrounded, and all its artillery and ammunition 
fell into the hands of the rebels. France now faw 
for the firft time, that fhe had an enemy in 
the Vendee more formidable *than jjie greater part 
of the coalefced powers. 

The capture of Fontenay fpread terror through 
the capital, and the Convention even lent their 
grenadiers to oppofe the rebels, who, taking advan- 
tage of the victory, marched immediately towards 
Kiort. The capture of this place was attended 
with the moll alarming confequences, for the infur- 
rection might not only fpread through the interior 
provinces, but the communication with Rochelle 
and Rochefort was entirely cut off ; and the Englifh 
might have attacked thefe two ports with impunity*. 
The infurgents meanwhile were not more than 
two leagues diftant from Niort, the fall of which 
feemed to be inevitable, when it was faved by one. 
of thofe incidents which although common in war, 
fo completely baffle all calculations, that the 
moft experienced agree to give them the name of 
Fortune. 

On leaving Thouars, D'Elbee had been created 

n. See Note, No. IV. 



WAR IN THE VENDEE, 5l 

Generaliflimo*, and to bring order out of confufion, 
he appointed perfons with the titles of commanders 
of cantonments. A few days after the departure 
of the Vendean army, a body of three thoufand 
men, commanded by General Salomon, arrived at 
Thouars, from whence his numerous detachments 
fpread themfelves over the infurgent country, and 
caufed- univerfal alarm. In order to check thefe 
advanced parties, the commandant of Argenton 
had collected a body of two thoufand Vendeans 
at La Fougereufe and expe&ed every day to be 
attacked; but finding that the enemy remained 
quietly at their poft, and beginning to experi- 
ence a fcarcity of provisions, he was obliged to 
difband this weak army : keeping with him about 
four hundred men, the greater part of whom 
were armed only with pikes-f . General Salomon, 

* The firft perfon on whom this title was conferred, was 
Cathelineau, a waggoner of Pin-ert-mange, near Saint Florent. 

t Carra for a long time infifted that the pike was fuperior 
to the fufil, and faid the latter was merely a kind of perfected 
fling. Delighted with this paradox, the Jacobin government 
expended millions of livres on the manufacture of thefe arms, 
which foon fell into difgrace ; they were then piled up in the 
magazines, and ferved for the foldiers to laugh at. The Ven- 
dean chiefs took fome thoufands of them, and not having a* 
fufficient quantity of mufkets, armed a part of the infurgents. 

h 2 informed 



B 2 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

informed of this circumftance by his fpies, fell on 
a fudden upon La Fougereufe, and, after a flight 
fkirmifh, took it. Tiie commandant of Argenton ? 
fearing die conqueror would take advantage of 
his victory to fail upon Chatillon, difpatched 
meffeiiger after meffenger to the generaliffimo to 
demand fpeedy afiiftance. On the other hand, 
news arriving that Ligonnier, who was pofled at 
Doue, was making daily incurfions upon Vkriers, 
and menacing Chollet, D'Elbee fummoned a 
council, in which it was refolved to abandon the 
conqueft of Niort, and go to the relief of the 
invaded country. The general rendezvous was 
accordingly fixed at Chatillon, and the army was 
difbanded. 

A few days after, fifty thoufand men, with the 
moil intrepid of the leaders at their head, marched 
from Chatillon, and directed their courfe towards 
Doue. Ligonnier feeing the florm ready to burft 
upon him, demanded fuccours from the republican 
army pofled at Saumur ; and full of confidence 
determined to try the chance of arms ; but com- 
pletely defeated, he was left to repent the preci* 
pitation into which his courage had drawn him. 
The next day, the victorious army bent its courfe 
towards Saumur. 

This 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 55 

This celebrated town, independant of the ad- 
vantage of its fituation, was defended by a very- 
numerous army, partly compofed of the battalions 
and troops of the line, the greater part of whom 
had never been engaged with the Vendeans, and 
who, full of confidence, were anxious to cope with 
them. Some of their generals were men of talents, 
but the greater number were chofen from the 
Jacobin club, and better fitted for making motions, 
than facing an enemy. A few ineffective plans 
were, however, combined, fome fortifications haftily 
raifed, and advantageous polls were taken, and 
the division of General Salomon was ordered to 
the relief of the menaced town. This tardy mea- 
fure was attended with the mofl difaftrous con- 
fequences. The Vendeans hearing of Salomon's 
march, detached a part of their forces to Montreuii, 
and advanced with the remainder upon Saumur. 
Deceived by the incorrect accounts of his fpies, 
the general fell into the centre of the Vendean 
column, and after righting three hours, left the 
half of his army on the field of battle, and 
the reft efcaped under cover of the night to 
Thouars. 

Meanwhile the two armies were fighting with 
the greateft fury before Saumur, and the. Ven- 
deans* 



54 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

deans, thrice repulfed, as often returned to the 
charge. It was at this battle that men armed 
only with heavy bludgeons, were feen rufhing 
with fury upon the cannon, and feizing them. The 
republicans, broke, formed inftantly again, and 
preferred a rampart of bayonets to the enemy : a 
regiment of cuiraffeurs was advancing with impe- 
tuofity upon the rebels, when, attacked in flank 
by a body of men under Domagne, they were 
forced to retreat. The victory remained doubtful, 
until the Vendeans, learning the ifiue of the bat- 
tle of Montreuil, and reinforced by that army, 
made another charge, which decided the battle 
in their favour. The republicans, prefTed on 
all fides, retreated into Saumur, but the dif- 
orcler became fo general, that the place was 
taken *„ 

Few battles have been more bloody than this 
of Saumur ; the two armies fought with the 
greater!: fury, and the Vendean chiefs fignalized 
themfelves by prodigies of valor. Lefcures was 
wounded in leading his troops to the charge, 
and Domagne was killed in repulfing the cuiraf- 

? See Note, No. V. 

fleers. 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 55 

fiers. While they were yet fighting at the en- 
trance of the town, the intrepid Laroche- Jaquelin, 
hurried on by his impetuofity, and accompanied 
only by one officer, penetrated into the grand 
fquare of Saumur. 

Where is the Frenchman who would not have 
gloried in thofe heroic actions,' if they had been 
directed againlt the common enemy, againfl the 
foreigners who at that time were marching to in- 
vade our country ? Alcibiades and Coriolanus 
among the ancients, and Walftein and Conde in 
modern times, have fought againil their country, 
but the hiflorian, whtlft he condemns their errors, 
renders juftice to their valorous deeds. 

The Vendeans obtained by the victory of 
Saumur, a coniiderable quantity of artillery and 
ammunition, as well as high reputation*. It was 
aflerted at the time, that if the victorious army 
had taken the route to Paris, they might have 
gained poueflion of it, and changed the go- 
vernment. 1 leave the decilion of that quefiion 
to military men, obferving only that it was never 

* -See Note, No. VI. 

my 



56 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

my opinion*. However that may be, this victory 
raifed the Vendee to the higheft pitch of glory. 
A few days after this battle, Angers threw open its 
gates; the example of this town was followed by 
all the towns fituated on the Loire ; and this 
torrent would have overwhelmed the whole of the 
weftern provinces of France, had not Nantes op- 
pofed a barrier, againfl which all its efforts weie 
unavailing. 

This town, advantageouily fituated, had a nu- 
merous garrifon and an able general to defend 
it. Canclaux, learning experience by the defeat 
at Saumur, inflead of trufting to the chance of 
a battle, prudently kept himfelf within the ram- 
parts. From a lofty dome he faw at one glance 
the preparations of the enemy, their different 
points of attack, and by the fuccours which he 
difpatched, he fucceeded in rendering all their 
efforts ufelefs. This wife conduct obtained its 

* When we reflect on the internal refources of Paris, 
the vicinity of the army of the North, the great number of 
national guards, added to the difficulties which an undifciplined 
army, without provifions or ammunition, would meet with on 
the road, we mull agree that under all thefe circumliances, 
the taking of the capital was highly improbable. 

dented 






\VAR IN THE VENDEE. Bj 

defired fuccefs. The Vendean army, excellent 
for a coup-de-main, underftood nothing about fieges ; 
befides, not having fufficient artillery, ammunition, 
and provifions, they were unable to remain for 
any length of time in the fame camp. They 
had alfo another difadvantage ; Charrette potted 
with twenty thoufand men on the other fide of 
the Loire, and flopped by a numerous train of 
artillery placed upon a bridge at about half a 
league diftance, was unable to form his junction, 
and was confequently ufelefs. Notwithstanding all 
thefe obftacles, the Vendeans by mere impetuofity 
had carried part of the fuburbs, when they were 
obliged to fly to the defence of the country 
behind them, which was a' tacked by General 
Weftermann. This event, and the prudence of 
General Canclaux, preferved a city to France, the 
capture of which would have been attended with 
the mod fatal confequences. I fhall fpeak more 
at length of Weftermann' s expedition hereafter. 

After the battle of Saumur, Lefcures, who 
was wounded, retired to his houfe at ClifTon ; 
fome hoftile movements, however, had called him 
again to the field and led him to forget his 
wounds. After meeting with a few checks, he 
reached Parthenay with ten thoufand men. Wef* 
i termann 



58 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

termann was then at St. Maixent with a divifion, 
the flower of which were drawn from the Northern 
legion. This daring general, confiding in his 
courage, undertook to furprife the enemy in Par- 
thenay, which, in fpite of the vigilance of Lefcures, 
perfectly fucceeded. The infurgents, attacked 
during the night, made but a feeble refinance, 
and fled in diforder. Lefcures himfelf owed his 
efcape to the darknefs of the night. This fuccefs 
gave frefti fpirits to Weftermann, who was certainly 
more dreaded by the rebels than any of the other 
generals, and who in fact did them the mofl mif- 
chief. He had that kind of valour, which was 
fuited to this war. Inflead of meditating plans, 
or digesting projects, he took no other counfellor 
than opportunity ; and juftified the revolutionary 
axiom, that every thing confifts in .daring ex- 
ertions. 

Lefcures, having withdrawn to his eftate, en- 
deavoured in vain to collect his fcattered forces, 
but Weftermann would not allow him time to 
breathe. The next morning, he appeared under 
the walls of his chateau, and it was not till two 
days after, that, by the light of the flames which 
were confuming his pofiemons, he at length 
affembled fix thoufand men at Chatillon. The 

republican 



WAR IN THE VENDUE, 5(J 

republican General meanwhile marched againft 
this town, and Lefcures flew to its affiftance. 
The two parties affembled upon a height, called 
k Bois du Moulin aux Cbevres. The Vendeans fuf- 
tained the firft attack of the enemy, but Wefter- 
mann, followed by his cavalry, fpread every where 
confulion and death. The Vendeans having fled 
on all fides, the conqueror entered Chatillon in 
triumph While this General was meditating new 
conquefts, he was informed that Laroche-Jaquelin 
was in fight with an army : he treated, however, thefe 
reports with contempt, until the found of the cannon 
convinced him of their reality. Invainhefummoned 
up his courage ; the Vendeans fell with fury on the 
Republicans, who thrown into diforder and prefTed 
on all fides, took flight. The daring Weflermann 
was compelled to put fpurs to his horfe, and 
efcape from the place which he had the fame 
evening triumphantly entered. The two wings 
of his army remained on the field of battle, or 
were made prifoners*. - 

Such was the ifTue of an enterprife, which had 
been planned in oppofition to all received military 

* See Note, No. VII. 

i 2 maxims* 



6o VIEW OF THE CIVII* 

maxims, and which occafioned to France the lofs 
of multitudes of brave men : it was attended how- 
ever with two very considerable advantages : the 
firft was, that it made a powerful diverfion, and 
brought up an army from Brittany which would 
have ravaged the country ; and fecondly, it opened 
to the Republicans the road to Chatillon, and 
abated fomewhat of the extravagant hopes, and 
leflened the preemption of the enemy. 



CHAPTER 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 6l 



CHAPTER V. 



CONTINUATION OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 179,3. 

J ORTUNE was equally propitious to the in- 
furgents in the Lower Vendee. Charrette had 
feveral times defeated the divifions commanded 
by BeyfTer and Sandoz, but thefe reverfes had not 
in the leaft damped the courage of the republicans*. 
As no place of importance had been the fruit 
of thefe victories, Charrette, to give eclat to his 
party, advanced againft the town of Sables, which, 
defended by a brave garrifon, refilled all his 
efforts, and of which, after feveral ufelefs at- 
tacks, he was obliged to raife the fiege* To 
repair this difgrace, he refolved to give battle 

* The reader will perceive that I do not enter into fo pre- 
cife a detail of the operations of Charrette, as of the chiefs of 
th^ Upper Vendee. I will frankly declare, I have not fuffi- 
cient documents of this army of the infurgents to allow me 
to enter at length into its hiftory. 

to 



6 2 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

to the republican army encamped at Lu^on. 
Situated in the midft of marmes, and defended by 
an army, this town appeared to him no eafy con- 
quer!:. In order, therefore, not to expofe himfelf 
to another repulfe, he requefted the affiftance of 
the neighbouring armies. Sapineau, who com- 
manded what the Vendeans termed the centre, and 
who had gained fome advantages on his fide, 
marched to his affiftance with a chofen body of 
men, more brave, however, than numerous, and 
Laroche-Jaquelin alfo joined him with a detach- 
ment of twelve thoufand men. Thefe united 
forces marched towards Luc,on, and .engaged the 
republicans. Charrette defeated the wing which 
was oppofed to him, and victory feemed allured 
to the Vendeans, when two incidents turned it in 
favour of the patriots. The firft was the fkill 
and good conduct of the brave Leconte, com- 
mander of the third battallion of Deux Sevres, 
who being furrounded by the rebels, formed his 
troops into a fquare, remained more than an hour 
expofed to the fire of the enemy, and gave time 
to the remainder of the army to relieve him, and 
recommence the battle. The other was the 
panic which difplayed itfelf among the troops 
commanded by Laroche-Jaquelin, who, without 
being pufhed by the enemy, fled, and difperfed 

themfelves. 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 65 

themfelves. The General, hurried away by the 
fugitives, found himfelf obliged to abandon the 
field of battle, and a victory which had appeared 
decided. 

If we may believe the Vendean chiefs, the 
caufe of this fudden terror was a popular tra- 
dition, which I think beneath the dignity of an 
hiftorian to record. 

Afhamed of the precipitate flight of the grand 
army, the title by which the divifions of Cha- 
tilion and Chollet were then known, Charrette re- 
tired in a (late of defpondency, with the mod pro- 
found contempt for fuch marks of genuine cow- 
ardice. The rivalfhip which began to rife in his 
mind againft his colleagues, took deeper root, 
and attributing to their jealoufy what was only 
the effect of terror, he never forgave them for 
this defeat. 

Meanwhile Laroche-Jaquelin, who had fallen 
back on Chatillon, met with frefh reverfes. A 
new republican army formed of the remains of 
that of Saumur, and of troops arrived from the 
North, had regained Saumur, Angers, and all 

the 



64 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

the towns which had been taken by the Vendeans*. 
General Bonchamps had been defeated by the 
republicans in attempting to oppofe their progrefs. 
Laroche-Jaquelin, D'Elbee, and Lefcures, had 
haftily collected a body of fifteen thoufand menf-, 
and with thefe, added to the remains of the army 
of Bonchamps, had marched to meet the enemy, 
who had advanced as far as Martigne Briant. The 
principal flrength of the Vendean army confided 
in a body of twelve hundred men, compofed of 
fix hundred Swifs and Germans, of the Germanic 
legion, who after the defeat at Saumur, had taken 
arms in favour of the royalifls, and of fix hun- 
dred of the braveft of the Vendeans who had ferved 
before in different regiments. This felect body 
rendered the greater! fervice to the Vendee, and 
always continued faithful to its caufe. 

* It was much eafier for the infurgents to take towns 
than to keep them. The inftant the chiefs fet off upon any 
expedition, every foldier wifhed to follow, and it was impoffible 
to keep them in garrifon. Although the poft of Saumur 
was of the greateft importance to the Vendeans, and although 
D'Elbee had left fifteen hundred men to guard it, they were 
obliged to abandon it five days after its conqueft, the com- 
mandant having found, upon mufter, that he had not more 
than fixty men fit to bear arms. 

f See Notes. Nos. VIII. and IX. 

The 



WAR IN THE VENDUE. 65 

The two armies foon came up with each other, 
near Martigne, and after fkirmifhing, began a 
regular fire which was kept up on both fides with 
fuccefs. The ninth regiment of huffards made an 
advance, and Laroche-Jaquelin marched to meet 
them, at the head of his cavalry. Each party ex- 
pected to come to clofe quarters, in which, 
however, they were difappointed, as the Vendeans, 
oppreffed with heat and thirfl, retired the firft, 
and took a pofition at Vitriers, fituated three 
leagues from the field of battle. . This affair there- 
fore, was looked on as a mere fkirmifh. Laroche- 
Jaquelin and the other chiefs, had promifed Char- 
rette to meet him the next day on the banks of 
the Sevre, to confult with him on the means of 
repairing the check at Lucon. 

Not thinking the enemy intended another attack, 
they fet off, and promifed the foldiers that they 
would haften their return, but defired them not 
to give battle to the enemy in their abfence 
This imprudence had nearly been attended with 
the moil fatal confequences to the Vendee ; for 
the patriots having learnt that the principal leaders 
of the enemy were abfent, advanced rapidly upon 
Vitriers, and fuddenly attacked the affrighted 
oyalifts, who would have been inevitably cut off, had 
k not 



66 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

not Kefter, the German whom I have mentioned, 
taken upon himfelf the command. With a felect 
corps which he headed, he threw himfelf in the 
way of the enemy who was rapidly advancing, and 
by means of a well fupported and well directed 
fire, kept them in check. The example of this 
brave man encouraged the Vendeans, and they 
rufhed with furious yells upon the republican 
columns, which, badly potted, and having little 
extent of front, fought to great difad vantage. 
At length, after two hours of alternate fuccefs ; and 
defeat, victory declared in favour of the Vendean 
army. Few routs were ever more compleat ; 
ten pieces of cannon, all the covered waggons 
and baggage fell into the hands of the enemy. 
The republican general, clofely purfued by a 
daring fellow, named Loifeau, efcaped only by 
fcaling a wall eight feet high ; fuch was the 
fuccefs of the battle of Vitriers, one of the mofl 
complete that the infurgents had yet gained. 
The royalift chiefs, on hearing the report of the 
cannon, haftened their return, but reached the 
fpot only to be witnefTes of . the victory. This 
fuccefs rendered the Vendeans for feveral months 
mailers of the country, and this was almofl the 
only advantage which they derived from it. 

Meanwhile 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. C7 

Meanwhile Charrette waited impatiently with 
his troops for the fuccours which had been pro- 
mifed him. Laroche-Jaquelin, L,efcures, and 
D'Elbee foon joined him with a body of more 
than twenty thoufand men, and they all marched 
towards Lucon. The republicans, elevated by 
their firft fuccefs, flew to engage them. At the 
firft onfet, the grand Vendean army was again feized 
with the fame panic, and the greater part of the 
royalifts fled without even feeing the enemy, and 
left them a complete vi&ory. This battle, which 
was fought on the 25th of Auguft, 1793, was 
remarkable for an engagement between the Ven- 
dean cavalry and the ninth regiment of huffars, 
who repulfed the infurgents. The Vendeans, 
however, were fo little galled in their retreat, that 
they formed their camp at three leagues from 
the field of battle, from whence, five days after- 
wards, they marched to try their fortune for the 
third time ; after a battle of two hours, the 
royalifts were completely routed, and foon dis- 
covered that Lucon, defended by the courage 
of republicans,, and not lefs by the defection 
of their panic-ftruck warriors, was become im- 
pregnable. 

k 2 The 



68 VIEW OF THE CIVII* 

The republicans, after this decifive victory 
fcoured the enemy 1 s country, and after having 
fearched in vain for Charrette, took poft at 
Chantonnay. Charrette, clolely purfued, was again 
obliged to have recourfe to his neighbours. The 
council of Chatillon afFembled, and their opinions 
were for fome time divided : at length, it was 
agreed that D' El bee and Laroche- Jacquelin ihould 
march an army to the relief of Charrette, whilft 
Lefcures, with a divilion, guarded the diftrict 
of Chatillon. This project was put into execution : 
on the fourth of September, D'Elb£e advanced 
towards the Lower Vendee, formed a junction 
with Charrette, and after a few days march, came 
within view of the enemy. So often witneffes of 
the cowardice of their adverfaries, the republicans 
prepared themfelves only for a feeble attack, and 
confidered their victory as decifive. But the panic 
which had feized the royalifls at Chantonnay had 
fubfided : the fugitives of Lucon had recovered 
their fpirits, and ruining with fury upon the enemy, 
overthrew them in every direction. The repub- 
licans, furprifed *■ and indignant, were put to 

flight, 

* The Vendeans owed their victory to a miftake of the 
republican General, who fo little expected to be attacked, that 

he 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. Gg 

flight, and obliged to abandon a victory which, 
at firft fight, feemed fecure*. 

While this engagement was taking place at 
Chantonnay, Lefcures, polled in the Upper 
Vendee, did not remain idle. At the head of a 
divifion, he continually harrafled his adverfaries, 
and fometimes threatened Parthenay, and at other 
times Airvauk and Thouars. 

General Rey occupied Airvauk with a kind 
of flying camp, and knowing that Lefcures was 
pofted at Saint Loup, marched to meet him. 
For two hours, each fide kept up a brifk cannon- 
ade; but the infurgents at length having expended 
their powder, their courage forfook .them, and 
they abandoned the field, ftrewed more with 
wooden fhoes than killed and wounded-f*. 

Meantime, the reprefentatives of the people 
who accompanied the army of the Weft, anxious, 

he was at the fame time at fome diftance from his camp : his 
army was therefore furprifed, but not one of the foldiers 
took to flight, until they had expended all their cartridges. 

* See Note, No. X. 

i See Note, No. XL 

whatever 



7° VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

whatever it might coft, to put an end to this 
civil war, had taken what they then termed a 
grand meafure, but which ought rather to have 
been called a falfe and foolifh one. Prefurning 
that nothing was fo fitted to crufh the mafs of 
infurgents as to bring againfl it a mafs of people 
flill more numerous, they had fummoned from 
feveral neighbouring departments all men from 
the age of eighteen to fifty'"'. Such a mafs, badly 
armed, and flili more badly difciplined, could 
not be of the leaft utility. In confequence of 
the orders of thefe reprefentatives, fixty thoufand 
men affembled at Thouars ; when Lefcures on 
receiving intelligence, conceived the daring pro- 
ject of dimpating this uridifciplined rabble, and 
even propofed to effect it with two thoufand 



By a fkilful maneuvre, he directed his column 
towards Airvault, which General Rey, uncertain 
of the real point of attack, and not daring to 
quit, had taken meafures to defend. On a fudden, 
Lefcures wheeled off towards Thouars, and before 
night, was within two leagues of this town*, 

* See Note, No. XII. 

t This attack took place the 14th September, 1793. 

which 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. • 7 1 

which would have been taken, if he could have 
perfuaded the Vendeans to have made an imme- 
diate attack ; but as among the prejudices of thefe 
people is this, that nothing ought to be under- 
taken in darknefs, there was no means of making 
them march forwards, and this delay faved the 
town. 

During thefe operations Lefcures was informed 
that a reinforcement of four thoufand men was 
rapidly advancing, and had already reached Aubiers. 
Inftead of waiting the arrival of thefe fuccours, 
the General, convinced that the fuccefs of his 
enterprize depended entirely on the rapidity with 
which it was executed, advanced at break of day 
upon Thouars : in lefs than an hour the bridge 
of Verine was carried, and the plain covered with 
fugitives. Thouars would have fallen a fecond 
time into the hands of the infurgents, had not 
General Rey, who had received news of its danger 
the preceding evening, fuddenly appeared with a 
divifion of regular troops. The fight of . this 
fecond army determined Lefcures to fall back, 
which he did before the enemy, and made the 
only orderly retreat the Vendeans had yet effected. 
A piece of cannon, and a few prifoners were the 
only fruits of the victory. Lefcures, however, 

gained 



72 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

gained two advantages from his defeat; the firft 
was the breaking up of the mafs which threatened 
the Vendee, and the fecond, infpiring his foldiers 
with frefh courage. 

So many battles loft or won, had difciplined 
the Vendeans to fuch a point that I do not think 
I affirm too much, in faying, that they would 
have been invincible, had they been led againft 
any other enemy. 

The Dutch who had refilled all the efforts 
of Philip II. and the Americans who fhook off 
the Englifh yoke, with infinitely greater means, 
never difplayed fo much courage and perfeverance. 
But if the Vendeans on the one fide performed 
prodigies of valour, the French difplayed more 
energy and created more refources than either the 
Englifh or Span : ards. If twenty thqufand men 
were flain in one battle, forty thoufand, no lefs 
difciplined, immediately took their place, and 
thefe in their turn were fucceeded by a ftill greater 
number, riling in proportion to the lofs. 

An event, which at firft fight did not appear 
in any degree to intereft the Vendee, was, how- 
ever. 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 7 

ever, the caufe of its ruin. Mentz and Valen- 
ciennes having furrendered to the coalefced powers, 
the convention, by a decree, ordered the garrifons 
of thefe towns to march into the Vendee. Several 
corps had already been drafted from the army of 
the North, of which twenty- five batallions had 
been formed under the name of la formation 
d Orleans ; thefe troops, though difciplined, had 
not been able to terminate the difpute. In the 
hopes that the foldiers of thofe garrifons would 
be more fuccefsful, they were fent down in car- 
riages by poft horfes, for greater expedition, from 
Paris, and the caufe of the Republic was, as it 
were, entrufted to the courage and patriotifm of 
thefe new champions. 

The reprefentatives of the people and the gene- 
rals were at length convinced of the abfurdity of 
raifing the people en majfe, and, after various deli- 
berations, had agreed to act upon a new and better 
formed plan, the execution of which could not 
fail of being attended with complete fuccefs. Two 
armies, compofed of the heroes of Mentz, of fol- 
diers of the North, and old troops, were ordered 
to attack Charrette, on two points at the fame time, 
and purfue him as far as Chollet; whilft another 
army, commanded by General Chalbos, was ap- 
1* pointed 



74 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

pointed to march into the midft of the Upper 
Yendee, attack and carry Chatillon, and effect 
their junction with the two other armies. Several 
flying camps were to make diverfions, harrafs the 
enemy, and favor the march of the armies. 
To, intimidate the Vendeans, the army was pro- 
vided with howitzers, a fpecies of artillery fo much 
the more terrible to the enemy, as they were 
entirely ignorant of its effect. I ought here to 
remark, that the Vendean artillery, though badly 
ferved, had a great fuperiority over that of the 
republicans. The infurgents marching continually, 
and fighting like light infantry, were but very 
little incommoded by the field pieces, while the 
republican troops, marching in columns and fighting 
in ciofe ranks, had often whole fields fwept away 
by a fingle difcharge. This circumftance gave 
the Vendeans alfo a great advantage in the ufe 
of their mufketry; the file and platoon firing 
of their adverfaries killed very few of their men, 
whilft their mufkets loaded with four and five 
balls, and levelled at the object, made dreadful 
havoc in the clofe ranks of their enemies. 

Thefe well planned projects would have infured 
the conqueil of the Vendue -, which would have 

been 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 76 

been loft without refource had all the wheels of 
fo vaft and complicated a machine been put in 
motion at the fame time. 

It was about this time, that the Englifh, who 
were anxious to add fuel to this dreadful confla- 
gration, and who rejoiced at our calamities, dif- 
patched an emifiary to Chatillon. Prefented to 
the civil tribunal, formed by the Vendean Generals, 
and known under the name of the Superior Council, 
he offered them, in the name of the Englifh Go- 
vernment, both men and money. I have been 
informed by one of thofe who was prefent at this 
Council, that a great number of its members 
were averfe to the project of receiving the Englifh. 
Love for their country, and national hatred towards 
their ancient enemies, had yet fome influence on 
their minds, and they returned vague anfvvers 
to the emhTary, without any pofitive affurances*. 

Meantime the plan which we have mentioned, 
began to be put into execution. The republican 
forces marched in two columns againft Charrette, 
defeated him in two or three fkirmifhes* and took 

t See Note, No. XIII. 

L % from 



7 6 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

from him all his artillery ; in a word, they 
obliged him to fly the country, accompanied 
by twelve thoufand difarmed and difcouraged 
followers . 

Charrette, like a fkilful commander, directed his 
retreat towards the Upper Vendee, which had 
not yet been attacked, and, having taken poft 
at TifTanges, fent courier after courier to the 
Superior Council, to give them notice of his fitu- 
ation, and to demand inftant afliftance. Thirty 
thoufand men, commanded by Lefeures, Laroche- 
Jaquelin, and D'Elbee, joined him in his camp. 
The fame day, they were informed that the divi- 
fion from Mentz, commanded by Kleber, ardent 
in the purfuit of Charrette, was polled at Torfou. 
Th& combined forces of the Vendeans marched 
towards this divifion, but found it drawn up in 
admirable order. The two armies remained facing 
each other, and making their refpective obfer- 
vations; # the Mayen^ais had hitherto fought only 
with Charrette,. and thought that he was the only 
enemy they had to contend with. At the fight 
of thefe new uniforms which they had never 
feen*, they felt the fame fort of furprize as 

Afdrubal 

* In order for the reader to comprehend this paflage, 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. J J 

Afdrubal at the fight of the old bucklers of the 
army of Nero. The prefence, however, of this 
reinforcement did not abate their courage, for after 
a few fkirmifhes, they began the attack, and made 
fuch a vigorous onfet, that at the nrft fhock, the 
Vendean army was thrown into diforder, and 
fome of the troops took to immediate flight. 
This battle would have decided the fate of the 
Vendee, had not Lefcures and the other generals, 
wljo well knew the importance of this day, alighted 
from their horfes, feized mufkets and placed them- 
ferves at the head of the French company. Thus 
armed and feconded by a handful of intrepid 
followers, they fupported the enemies fhock, and 
by this manuvre concealed a part of the diforder 
of their army. Meanwhile the Vendean cavalry 
had rallied the fugitives, who, finding they were 
not purfued, took courage and advanced with refo- 
lution againft the enemy. For more than feven 
hours the victory which was warmly difputed 
hung doubtful ; at length, the Mayengais, almofl 
furrounded, decided on withdrawing from the 
field, which they effected in good order, prefenting 

he mould be informed, that the foldiers of Charrette wore 
uniforms of a brown colour, and thofe of the Upper Vendee 
of a grey blue. 

at 



7 8 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

at times a formidable front to the enemy. The 
Vendeans, little accuftomed to fuch kinds of 
retreat, followed ardent in the purfuit, but without 
making any impreffion. A divifion attempted in 
vain to cut off their retreat -, three times they were 
charged by the Vendean cavalry, who were as 
often driven back, and the bravefl: of the affaillants 
made to repent their temerity. For nearly fix 
leagues, the fight was kept up without retarding 
in the lean: the retreat of the Mayencais ; l \t 
length they reached a bridge upon the Sevre, near 
ClhTon, and having planted on it two pieces of 
cannon, they compelled their purfuers to retreat 
in their turn. 

Such was the refult of the celebrated battle of 
Torfou, which coft the Mayencais much blood, 
but whofe valour and addrefs excited the admi- 
ration even of their enemies. I have heard feveral 
Vendeans fpeak with enthufiafm and refpect of 
this army, and regret the lofs of fo many brave men 
with a fentiment of grief and admiration. The 
Vendeans this day took feveral pieces of cannon, 
and a great quantity of ammunition; but the 
greatefl advantage which they reaped from it, was 
that of railing the courage of their terrified par- 
tifans : the plan which the patriots had fo wifely 

combined 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 79 

combined was alfo overthrown by this event, 
which had nearly proved fatal to the republican 
caufe. 

The victorious army lay that night at Tiffanges, 
where a council of war was held, and in which 
the Vendean chiefs, particularly Lefcures, after 
commenting on the courage and fkill of the 
Mayencais, declared their opinion, that this army 
would one day prove the ruin of the Vendee, and 
that therefore they ought not to hefitate a moment 
in extirpating a corps, which fingly had been more 
formidable to them than all the battles of their 
other adverfaries. To infure iuccefs, they dif- 
patched a courier to Bonchamps, who was ftationed 
near Chollet with a body of eight thoufand men, 
and ordered him to march on the 21ft towards 
ClifTon, and attack the Mayencais in rear, whilft 
they themfelves, with their whole force, attacked 
them in front. 

Had this plan been put in execution, there is 
reafon to believe, that in fpite of their bravery, 
the Mayencais would have been totally deftroyed*; 
but an incident deranged all thefe projects- which 

t See Note, No. XIV. 

had 



80 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

had been combined according to all the rules of 
war, and which caufed the plan for the ruin 
of the army of Mentz to turn to its advantage. 
On the 20th Charrette received a courier by which 
he learned that Montaigu had been carried by 
the republicans, and that another party, polled 
at St. Fulgent, was ravaging his country. Warmly 
prefled by his officers and foldiers, he afTembled 
the council again, and declared to the chiefs of 
the Upper Vendee that he could not join in the 
expedition of Cliflbn, that the interefl of his 
country required his prefence, and that he was 
about to march. Lefcures and D'Elbee at- 
tempted in vain to fhow him the ill confequences 
and danger of fuch a ftep ; he remained inexorable, 
and only promifed them, that as foon as he had 
driven the enemy from his country, he would join 
his forces td their army, and help them to extirpate 
the MayencaJs. Finding it impofiible to retain 
him, and not thinking themfelves fufficiently itrong 
to attack fo brave and well polled an enemy, the 
chiefs of the Upper Vendee determined to march 
to the relief of Montaigu*. The republican 

army 

* The only precaution taken by the generalifiimo D'Elbee, 
was to fend a counter-order to Bonchamps, the courier of 

which 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 8l 

army, polled before this town, was not in fuf- 
ficient force to make a (land againft the con- 
querors of Torfou. A number of foldiers who 
were out plundering, had not even time to rejoin 
it, and in lefs than half an hour Montaigu was 
retaken, the republicans were defeated, and their 
artillery, baggage waggons, and ammunition fell 
into the hands of the rebels. The carnage in 
Montaigu was dreadful, and all the prifoners 
were manacred ; a part of the army, however, fuc- 
ceeded in efcaping to Nantes. 

Of three bodies of troops which had entered 
the Lower Vendee, one had been vigoroufly 
repulfed, the fecond beaten and completely dif- 
perfed, and the third remained polled at St. Ful- 
gent. This army, if not the mod formidable, 
was at lead the mod numerous ; and in pof- 
feflion of the moil confiderable park of artillery, 
among which were included thofe dreadful ho- 
witzers, the effect of which was unknown to the 
Vendeans, and on which the republicans founded 
their hopes of victory. 

which was taken and put to death by the republicans ; this 
was the caufe of the check which Bonchamps received a 
few days after, as the reader will have occafion to obferve. 

M Previous 



82 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

H Previous to the attack of the enemy at St. Ful- 
gent, the Vendean chiefs held a council, and 
refolved on meafures fo well concerted, that, had 
they been put in execution, not a tenth part of 
this army would have efcaped. Charrette fent 
an order to the commandant of Herbiers, to march 
with his whole divifion to the four ways, and 
remain in ambufcade until the republican army 
{hould pafs him ; he was then to take them in 
the rear, while the combined armies attacked 
them in front and on both flanks. The republicans 
were indebted to a miflake for their fafety, for 
Charrette had given notice, that the battle would ' 
take place in the morning ; but from delays una- 
voidable in fuch circumftances, it did not com- 
mence until the evening*. The commandant of 
Herbiers, tired, therefore, of waiting, thought 
proper to return to his ftation, and wait for new 
orders. 

At fun-fet the two armies came within light 
of each other ; feveral of the Vendean chiefs 

* The battle commenced an hour before fun-fet, and 
lafted the greater part of the night. Although the Vendeans 
were very much prepofleffed againft nocturnal combats, in 
this inftance they fought with the greateil courage. 

wiflied 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 85 

willied to put off the battle until the morrow, 
but the majority were of a contrary opinion, and 
were refolved to take advantage of the fhort remains 
of day-light to commence the attack. Embold- 
ened by their two former victories, the Vendean 
army entertained no doubt of fuccefs, and the 
army of their adverfaries, full of confidence in the 
ufe of their numerous artillery, figured to itfelf a 
complete triumph. During two hours, each kept 
up a moft dreadful fire ; but the patriotic army 
was too difadvantageoufly ported, not to feel its 
fatal effects. 

The darknefs was favourable only to the Ven- 
deans,- for the republican cannoneers knew not 
where to point their pieces, whilft the Vendeans, 
polled at fifty paces from the open camp of the 
enemy, and concealed behind the. hedges, kept 
up a moft deftructive fire of mufketry. The 
dreadful howitzers, meantime, thundered in every 
direction, but the rebels, fcattered about according 
to their ufual cuftom, and to ufe their expreffion, 
" beating round the bullies," were not intimi- 
dated. They felt,, indeed, fome movements of fur- 
prize, but it was not attended with any terror, and 
they continued to fight with their accuftomed fury. 
I have heard feveral Vendeans who were in the 
M z engagement* 



84 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

engagement, and who could not comprehend any 
thing of the parabolic defcent of thefe formidable 
howitzers, fpeak of thofe murderous guns, as of an 
infernal machine, the invention of which was 
fomething fuperhuman. For fix hours the battle 
had raged with undiminifhed fury on both fides ; 
the confufion infeparable from a no&urnal fight, 
prevailed equally in both armies, but the diforder 
was infinitely more detrimental to the republicans 
than to their enemies, who were never accuflomed 
to keep any order, and of whom each one chofe 
his own pofition. The former, perceiving by 
the flafhes of the mufkets that they were nearly 
furrounded, were anxious to make good their 
retreat. The republican generals did every thing 
that courage and experience could atchieve to 
flop the diforder, and renew the engagement; 
their efforts failed, and the rout became general. 
The whole of the ammunition, cannon, and 
even the howitzers, fell into the hands of the 
conquerors. 

The victorious army purfued the enemy clofely, 
and made a great Slaughter of the fugitives : 
in addition to their bad fortune, the commandant 
of Herbiers, informed of the engagement by the 

cannonade* 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 85 

cannonade, and dreading the reproaches of Char- 
rette, afTembled with great expedition three hun- 
dred cavalry, and reached the four ways half an 
hour after the action, where he fell upon the 
ftragglers, of whom he killed a great number. 
Such would have been the fate of the whole 
republican army, had the four thoufand men whom 
he had placed in ambufcade the evening before, 
remained there fifteen hours longer. 

After having thus re-eftablifhed Charrette, and 
placed him in a flourifhing condition, the grand 
army took leave and returned back to their po- 
rtions, where they did not long enjoy the repofe 
they had promifed themfelves. 

The chiefs, on arriving at Chatillon, were in- 
formed of the defeat of Bonchamps, and were 
loaded with the moft bitter reproaches by this 
general. The caufe of this defeat was as follows : 
we have already feen that Lefcures, about to attack 
the Mayencais at CliiTbn, had invited Bonchamps 
to make an attack, and take the enemy in rear. 
Charrette having by his precipitation deranged 
this plan, a courier had been fent to Chollet to 
inform the Vendean general of the new arrange- 
ment 



%6 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

ment which had taken place. This courier by 
accident fell into the hands of a republican party, 
who conducted him to the Mayencais ; and from 
his examination they were apprifed not only of 
the march and intention of the enemy, but dis- 
covered the means of exterminating the army of 
Bonchamps. The latter, ignorant of the new 
plans which had been adopted, advanced on the 
2 1 ft to attack the enemy, and not being feconded 
by the army as he expected, was completely 
defeated. This reverfe, however, excited lefs 
aftonifhment in the council of Chatillon, than 
the news of the march of General Chalbos towards 
that town. Different circumflances had retarded 
the march of his army; with greater diligence he 
had prevented the three defeats I have juft men- 
tioned : this delay, however, muft not be imputed 
to Chalbos, an officer of acknowledged merit. If 
we may credit feveral republican officers, the fault 
was in the reprefentatives of the people, whofe 
various arretes was often in direct oppolition to 
the plans of the Generals, and occafioned pre- 
judicial delays*. 

This 



* Many of the reprefentatives fent to the army had wifdom 
enough not to interfere in matters of which they were ig- 
norant, 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 87 

This army, difengaged at length from the 
lhackles by which it had been fo long encumbered, 
marched upon Chatillon, carrying defolation and 
death in its paflage. It was commanded by three 
generals, diftinguifhed alike by their courage and 
their talents ; thefe were Chalbos, Chabot, and 
Weftermann. On the news of this march, 
Lefcures, D'Elbee, and Laroche-Jaquelin haflily 
collected their troops, and, at the head of the con- 
querors of St. Fulgent, waited for the enemy on 
the heights of Chatillon, where, after a few fkirmifhes, 
they made difpofitions for a general engagement. 
If I may give credit to what feveral of the Vendean 
chiefs have told me, it was Weflermann who was 
commiffioned to range the troops in order of battle ; 
which operation was confided to him, as he was 
fuppofed to know the ground better than his col- 
leagues. But this he executed very ill, having 
polled the republican troops in a valley beneath the 
^heights occupied by the infurgents ; confequently, 
during the whole engagement, they fought under 
great difadvantage. The action began by a brilk 
cannonade, but the armies foon afcer coming to 

norant, but the greater numbers continually tormented the 
generals, thwarted their plans, and were in vain reminded 
of the motto, Ne fitter ultra crefidam* 

clofe 



88 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

clofe quarters, a moft heavy fire of mufquetry 
filenced the cannon. For three hours the victory 
was uncertain ; Chalbos and Chabot did every 
thing that could be expected from their courage 
and abilities : but however great might be the 
bravery of this army, it fell far fhort of the energy 
and difcipline of the Mayenc^is. Harraffed by the 
enemy, they could not fuflain a brifk charge 
from a chofen body of troops commanded by 
Lefcures and Laroche-Jaquelin ; but on finding 
the right wing fhaken, and the left entirely broken, 
they took openly to flight. The conquerors went 
in purfuit of the enemy, and nothing lefs than a 
complete victory was expected, when Weflermann, 
at the head of a body of referve, fell upon the 
fcattered rebels, of whom he made a confiderable 
havock, and renewed the engagement. Night, 
however, feparated the combatants, and the Ven- 
deans, exhilarated at the advantage they had gained, 
gave themfelves up to inconfiderate mirth. They 
had taken feveral carriages laden with brandy, 
which capture was the caufe of their ruin. Extra- 
vagantly fond of fpirits, they drank to fuch an excefs 
that the greater part of them fell down in a ftate of 
intoxication, without any fenfe or feeling*. The 

* This is not the firft time that a French army has been 

deft roved 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 89 

chiefs ftrongly reprefented to them, that the enemy 
was near, and might furprife them ; no attention 
was paid them, and the foldiers did not leave off 
drinking until the barrels were entirely empty. 

Meanwhile, Weftermann, on the information 
of his fpies, led his divifion to the fpot, and, 
at the head of fifteen hundred picked men, 
prefented himfelf before the gates of Chatillon. 
Who's there f demanded the centineL A roya/i/I, 
replied he. Enter ! rejoined the other. He imme- 
diately advanced, killed the fentinel, and found 
the Vendeans lying about the ftreets, frupid or 
fenfelefs ; after putting them air to the- fword, he fet 
fire to the town, of which he made himfelf com- 
pletely mafter. The chiefs had fcarcely time to 
mount their horfes, and efcape to Mortagne ; 
whilft the patriotic army marched by the light of 
the flames to rejoin Weftermann in Chatillon. 



deftroyed by means of ftrong liquors, We read in Fredegaire 
that, under the reign of Clotaire III, fifty thoufand French, 
having crofled the Alps in order to re-eftablifli Pertharite upon 
the throne of the Lombards, the ufurper Grimoald, unwilling 
to run the rifk of a battle, feigned on a fudden to be panic - 
flruck, and retiring with precipitation, left in his camp a 
part of his baggage, with a confiderable number of hogfheadsof 
wine. The French haftening to plunder, fwallowed the bait 
n and 



QO VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

The capture of this town had more alarmed than 
weakened the Vendeans. The bloody battle before 
mentioned had not decided the quarrel, for the 
infurgents had even gained an advantage over the 
republicans. 

Recovered from their furprife, they might the 
next day have collected their forces, and extin- 
guished in the blood of the republicans the fire of 
Chatillon. Weftermann and his colleagues felt fo 
haflily the weaknefs of their pofition, that during 
the night they made good their retreat, and eva- 
cuate the town. Their fears were but too well 
grounded, for in the courfe of the night, the 
Vendean chiefs rallied, and marched upon Chatillon. 
To render their victory more fure, they furrounded 
the town, and feized on the principal pofts ; afto- 
nifhed at not finding the enemy, they dreaded a fur- 
prife, and fent five hundred men to take poffeffion of 
one of the gates; they pafTed, however, without find- 
ing any refiftance, and the army entered with them. 

This place prefented a rnofr. dreadful fpectacle ; 
heaps of half-burnt carcafes ftrewed the ftreets, and 

and finifhed by getting intoxicated and ftupified* Grirtioald 
returned in the middle of the nighty furprifed them alleep, and 
put them to the fword. 

all 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. Qi 

all the houfes were in a general conflagration. 
The cries of defpair of the inhabitants, who rufhed 
into the midft of the flames to fave fome of their 
effe&s, and the crafh of buildings falling into ruins, 
prefented a complete picture of defolation. Not 
able to endure the fight, the Vendean chiefs made 
no efforts to flop the progrefs of the flames, but, 
filled with rage and, defpair, inftantly fet off in 
purfuit of the enemy ; for after marching feyerai 
hours, without any hopes of coming up with them, 
they difmiflTed the troops, and appointed the ren- 
dezvous for the morrow at Mortagne. 

I ought to remark on this occafion, that the 
dreadful plan of burning towns, invented by Ro- 
befpierre and his partifans, was fo much the 
more abfurd, as it did a general injury to the 
Republic without furthering in the leafi the end 
propofed; on the contrary, the unfortunate inha- 
bitants, whofe wives and children had been maf- 
facred, whofe houfes had been deftroyed, having 
no domeflic tye, and no other property tha*n their 
mufkets, either gave themfelves up to defpair, or 
joined the armies, where only they could gain 
fubfiflence, and thus became true foldiers; fo much 
the more formidable, as nothing was left to them 
but to revenge themfelves, or to die with arms 
n % in 



9^ VIEW OF THE CIVIE 

in their hands. Another confideration ought to 
have been a fufficient motive for not adopting 
this abfurd fyftem ; the fear of reprifkls, 

What would have been the fate of Saumur, 
Angers, Mans, Laval, Dol, and many other flou- 
rifhing cities where the Vendeans entered in 
triumph, had not the moderation of the generals 
preferved thefe towns from the torch of the incen- 
diary, and complete devaluation 5 or had they from 
fome blind fentiment of revenge followed the 
plans of the Jacobins? who can reflect without 
horror on the mafs of ruins which at this time 
would have covered a part of France ? this dreadful 
fyftem, the moft fitted to add new horrors and 
new crimes to the civil war, was either the offspring 
of patriotifm run mad, or of the moft confummate 
and artful wickednefs.. 

Meanwhile, the Vendeans, buiy at Mortagne in 
collecting the flower of their . army, were over- 
whelmed with the moft dreadful intelligence. Not 
only was the army of Chalbos marching to drive 
them from the poft they occupied, but two ftrong 
republican divifions, drawn from the Lower Vendee, 
were advancing to take them in rear, threatening 
at the fame time both Tiffauges and Chollet. 

Charrette 



WAU IN THE VENDEE. 9 3 

Gharrette by a falfe combination, had aided the 
projects of the republicans. Inftead of engaging 
the attention of the armies he had in front, and 
making a powerful diverfion in favour of the 
grand army on the fide of TifTauges, he engaged 
in the vain project of feizing Noirmoutiers, and 
thus abandoned the Upper Vendee to the united 
efforts of the republicans. The republican gene- 
rals took advantage of this capital fault, and 
marched in three columns againft the flower of the 
Vendean forces, fully perfuaded that victory foon 
would deliver them up in fucceffion the Vendee, 
Charrette, and Noirmoutiers. 

The celebrated Weflermann was not at this 
time in the number of generals in fervice. 
Robefpierre had ordered him to Paris, where he 
was for fome time fufpended from his employ- 
ments, and the brave fellows he had fo fuccefs- 
fully commanded were thereby deprived of his 
affiftance. At this time, a report was fpread, 
that the Jacobins were defirous of prolonging the 
civil war, and that they fed the flame. The 
t yrannical ads of Robefpierre leave no doubt 
on my mind of fuch being his intention. This 
monfler, jealous of Weftermann's merit, and in 
fad of every other perfon of ability, feem to 

have 



9* VIEW OF THE CIVII, 

have adopted for himfelf Tarquin's inflru&ions to 
his ion. The capture of Chatilton was a thun- 
der-- ftroke to him as well as to the Vendee. He 
feared that the extinction of the civil war would 
wreft from him the powerful arm of terror, and 
deprive him of a pretext for his affaffinations and 
plunders; in a word, the greedy tiger had fur- 
ther need of new victims, that he might riot in 
their blood, and revel in their fpoils*. Be that 
as it may, Weftermann thus difgraced, might have 
felt that Robefpierre's hatred was the fiient pre- 
paration of his grave. We (hall fhortly fee to 
what a length that hatred was carried ; at this 
period he was compelled to refign, being tor- 
mented by contradictions and fuipicions, which 
are often more prejudicial to a man of honour 
than complete difgrace, 

Y^hilft the republican armies were uniting 
their forces, and preparing to march upon Mor- 
t&gne, the Vendean leader? held a council, and 

* The obfervation of the famous Dapton, the Coryphee of 
the Jacobins, is well known. When one of his friends remarked 
to him that the barparpus laws which daily emanated from the 
committee, of which he was a member, would ftrip France of 
iialf its land owners : So much the heHer, replied the infuriate* 
demagogue, <w.e Jicmd in need of a nenjj enjijfion of emigrants, 

tried- 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. g5 

tried every meafure to avert the florm. Polled 
between Mortagne and Chollet, they alike defended 
both towns, which could not be taken except by 
a battle. Couriers were every day difpatched to 
haften the arrival of reinforcements, and officers 
haftily aflembled from all parts, followed by all 
the foldiers they could mufler. Under thefe cir- 
cumftances, Bonchamps rejoined the army with a 
body of ten thoufand men, ready to bury them- 
felves under the a(nes of the Vendee ; not fatisfied 
with thefe reinforcements, the chiefs fent feveral 
meflengers to Charrette to inform him of their 
diftrefs, and provoke a diverfion upon TifFauges* 
They alfo took poffeflion of the principal heights, 
and eftablifhed detachments upon the moil ad- 
vantageous pofts in the vicinity of their camp ; 
upon the whole, they took every precaution ne- 
ceffary to enfure a vi&ory. Thefe difpofitions, 
which were certainly well planned, were rendered 
of no effect from errors which they afterwards 
committed. However great might be the confi- 
dence of the Vendean chiefs, they could not but 
reflect, that if routed, they had no point of 
retreat. Obliged in that cafe to fall back on 
the Loire, they thought it would be advantageous 
at all events to fecure the paffage of that river, 
and therefore difpatched four thoufand chofen 



<)6 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

men to feize upon Varades, a town fituate.d on 
the other fide of that river. This plan was 
executed, and Varades was taken; but indepen- 
dently of the danger they ran in dividing their 
forces at this crifis, the Vendeans began to lofe 
their courage, and, during the battles of Mor- 
tagne and Chollet, all their thoughts were di~ 
reded towards the river, the paffage of which 
had been prepared for them. 

On the 25th of O&ober, 1793, the two armies 
came within fight of each other. The repub- 
licans, commanded by Lechelle and Beaupuy, 
wore an air of confidence, that was the prefage 
of victory ; but the Vendeans on the other fide, 
advanced to the combat like men determined 
to bury themfelves in the ruins of their country. 
The battle commenced at one o'clock in the 
afternoon. The two armies rufhed upon each 
other with fury, and victory remained undecided 
till eleven at night. At that time, .the . repub- 
licans, fatigued by their numerous long marches, 
began to give way, when Lechelle, taking advan- 
tage of the darknefs of the night, marched round 
with his body of referve, and fuddenly fell upon 
the wing commanded by Lefcures. At this un- 
expected attack, the Vendeans gave way on all 

fides, 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 97 

fides, and fled panic-ftruck to Chollet ; Lefcures, 
feeing this diforder, ruflied in amongft the fugi- 
tives, rallied a part, and led them back upon 
the enemy. The exertions and example of 
this brave captain had already in fome degree 
renewed the combat, when he received a mortal 
wound, and fell in the midft of his men. His 
officers led him bleeding out of the thickeft of the 
engagement, and conducted him to Beaupreau. - 
The inftant the news of his fall fpread through the 
Vendean army, the foldiers loft their courage and 
fled, leaving the victorious republicans in poiTeffion 
of Mortaigne, and a part of their artillery. The 
next day Chollet opened its gates. Several ge- 
nerals made vain attempts to prevent the deflruc- 
tion of this flourifhing city ; their orders were 
not attended to, and pillage and murder in every 
quarter rendered the place a fcene of horror and 
defolation : the incendiary torch had already fpread 
through the fuburbs, when the noife of cannon was 
fuddenly heard. — After repofing fome hours at 
Beaupreau, the Vendean army, more hamuTed 
than difcouraged, advanced upon- Chollet* to try the 
chance of another engagement. On hearing of the 
enemy 1 s approach, Lechelle caufed \hz generate to 
be beat, and ranged his troops in order of battle. 
At noon the attack commenced ; the firit (hock 
o of 



go VIEW OF 1"HE CIVIL 

of the right wing of the Vendeans was fo violent, 
that they penetrated nearly to the fuburbs, and 
although the republicans endeavoured feveral times 
to repulfe the enemy, they could not drive them 
back to their firft poiition ; feveral divifions in 
vain advanced with charged bayonets upon a 
body of troops commanded by Stofflet; thefe 
attacks, which were flernly refilled, only ferved to 
renew the battle. 

Whilft fortune fmiled thus on the right wing 
of the Vendeans, the left had experienced the 
reverfe. The Mayencais, who were oppofed to 
this wing, had already broken it by three vigorous 
charges, when Beaupuy, falling with his cavalry 
on the fcattered ranks of the enemy, overthrew 
them on all fides, and decided the victory, which 
till then had remained uncertain. The Vendean 
chiefs, however, did not forget themfelves at this 
crifis, but flew amongft the fugitives, trying to 
reanimate their drooping courage, and calling to 
their cavalry to advance; but the greater part 
had already retreated to Beaupreau. On receiving 
this intelligence, Laroche-Jaquelin, D'Elbee, Bon- 
champs, and the mod celebrated of their chiefs 1 
perceived that the time was come for them to fall 
with the ruins of their party; collecting, there- 
fore 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. g§ 

/ore, haftily a body of one hundred and fifty 
cavaliers, they rufhed upon the conquerors : 
whereever this defperate troop prefented itfelf, 
they left the traces of their paffage ; feveral re- 
publican officers fell under their ftroke, and the 
brave Beaupuy, borne by his courage into the 
middle of this formidable fquadron, was on the 
point of being made prifoner, having had three 
horfes killed under him. But at length the party 
became unequal to the conqueft, the victorious 
army furrounded the Vendean chiefs, and directed 
their whole flrength againft them. Bonchamps and 
D'Elbee both killed by one fatal (hot, had already 
met the fate they fought ; more than ten of the 
bravefl officers had fhared the fame fate, and 
two-thirds of this chofen band were either wounded 
or dying. Laroche-Jaquelin, whofe clothes were 
Chattered by bullets, at length thought it time to 
retreat ; but even this now became every minute 
more dangerous to accomplifh, when a body of 
Vendean infantry, hearing of the danger of its 
chiefs, boldly devoted itfelf to their fafety, and 
returned to the fight. By prodigious efforts, they 
lucceeded in difengaging them, and dragged 
D'Elbee, who yet breathed, and who lived fome 
months after, from the hotter! of the fight ; Laroche- 
Jaquelin, with a few men, had the good fortune 

to 



lOO VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

to gain Beaupreau. The right wing of the Ven- 
deans, hearing of the di falter of the left, re- 
treated, and with great difficulty fucceeded in 
rejoining their general. Meanwhile Laroche- 
Jaquelin, now the only fupport of his party, 
after allowing his army a few hours repofe, gave 
orders to march to St. Florent, and fet off imme- 
diately, accompanied by the greater part of his 
men. Two hours after his departure the repub- 
licans, favoured by the nighty penetrated into Beau- 
preau, and put to death every perfon they met. I 
fhali draw a veil over the horrors which took 
place in this town ; fuffice it to fay, that they 
furpaifed all thofe of which the Vendee had as 
yet been the witnefs and the victim. 

Meanwhile the Vendean army reached St. Flo- 
rent, and prepared to crofs the Loire*. On all fides 

crowds 

* The motives for this decifion will be found fufficiently 
fpecious; they were certain of finding a number of difcon- 
tented in Britanny and Anjou ; they hoped, that fupported by 
an army, thefe would not hefitate to come forward, and that 
they mould alfo find in thefe provinces new refources where- 
with to recommence the war; while on the other hand, the 
country they had quitted being nothing but a heap of ruins, it 
was not, poffible for fo numerous an army to fubfifi — 
Such were the reafons alledged to the foldiers, to induce them to 

this 



WAR IN THE VEXDEE. 101 

crowds of men and women arrived who had ef- 
caped the fire and carnage, and who came trem- 
bling to rejoin their hufbands or their fathers, and 
to (hare with them the horrors of their defperate 
(ituation. 

It was at this time that the Committee of 
Public Safety parTed a decree, by which they fixed 
the precife time when the war mould finifh. Men 
of fenfe could not forbear fmiling to fee men 
paffing decrees againfl Fortune, and taking upon 
them to command victory. This folly reminds 
us of that of Xerxes, who ordered the fea to be 
whipped for having difobeyed his fovereign orders. 
We (hall prefently fee how fortune mocked their 

commands, 

this emigration ; but the real motive, which decided the gene- 
rals to take this meafure, was, that in drawing the Vendeans 
from their country, they made them the dependants of fortune, 
and in forming them into a permanent body, left them only 
two refources, of conquering or dying with them. If on the 
one hand, this latter reafon appeared decifively to favour the 
project, many greater confederations militated ftrongly againfl 
it on the other. Was it with a vanquifhed and fugitive army 
they could hope to gain f rem partifans? Could the Bretons, 
who, at the time Nantes was befieged, had not refolved to affift 
them, feel themfclves lefs unwilling to fhare the fortunes of pro- 
fcribed fugitives ? in conducting the Vendeans alfo into a (rrange 
country, did they not expofe themfeives on the firft defeat to want 



102 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

commands, and revenged herfelf by reverfing theb 
decree*. 



On the 8th of October, Laroche-Jaquelin finally 
determined to try the famous parTage, and the order 
for their departure was given. The Vendeans had 
previously confined in the prifons of St. Florent, 
feveral thoufandsof patriots whom they had taken 
in different engagements, and before their depar- 
ture had refolved to fhoot them. Thefe unhappy 
wretches had already reached their laft hour, 
when Lefcures, then expiring, heard their plain- 
tive cries. Rage and indignation gave him frefh 
vigor, and he caufed himfelf to be carried to the 
Council, after having given orders to fufpend the 
execution. In vain they anfwered him, that the 
right of reprifals would not allow them to be faved, 
that his pity was mifplaced,that they were fo many 
enemies left behind the army, and that perhaps 

a rallying point ? It follows, therefore, that they either hazarded 
all, or calculated on continual victories. If to this we add the 
egregious fault the chiefs committed in fuffering the foldiers to 
take with them their wives and children, we fhall be obliged to 
acknowledge that the paiTage of the Loire gave the death blow 
to the Vendee. 

* See Notes, Nos. XV, XVI, XVII, and XVIII. 

they 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. lo3 

they would even interrupt the rear guard, at the 
moment of embarkation. " No barbarous repri- 
fals," cried this generous captain, " Are they not 
men, are they not Frenchmen ? No gentlemen, 
they fhall not be flain in cold blood while I am 
here!" The dignified and commanding tone of 
Lefcures, and the yet greater afcendancy of fo 
renowned a chief, at length induced the Council 
to fign the pardon of thefe prifoners, and France 
owes to the humanity of a profcribed leader, the 
prefervation of thoufands of her defenders*. 

Meanwhile 



* I am far from justifying the infurre&ion of the Ven- 
dee and I believe, in the courfe of this work, I have 
made my profeffion of faith on that fubjeft ; but if I might 
be allowed to palliate the crime which Lefcures committed 
in arming himfelf againft the majority of his fellow-citizens, 
I fhould fay that he was milled ; and that in the general 
diforder caufed by anarchy, he could not hear the voice of 
his country, ftifled by the howlings of the different factions. 
However this may he, we can affirm, to his glory, that in 
the midft of the horrors of a civil war, he always preferved 
the heart of a Frenchman. All thofe whom the chance of 
war threw into the hands of the infurgents, regarded him 
as their tutelary faint, and the inftant they beheld him, con- 
fidered themfelves in perfect fafety. More than twenty thou - 
fand, who owe their lives to him, are to this day monuments of 
his unceafing humanity. The celebrated Mathurin de Lef- 
cures 



104 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

Meanwhile the veflels were rowed acrofs the 
Loire, and the army had juft paned over, when the 
republican advanced guard appeared at St. Florent. 

cures, fo well known at Malta under the appellation of the 
brave Romegas, and who died in the year 1581, was one 
of the anceftors of the Vendean Lefcures. 



CHAPTER 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. lo5 



CHAPTER VI. 



PASSAGE OF THE LOIRE. 



1 HE Vendeans flying with their wives and 
children from their country, a prey to the flames, 
refembled the Trojans, who reunited themfelves 
on Mount Ida, and whom -#Lneas fome days 
after conducted acrofs unknown feas to find a new 
Troy in Latium. The fate of the Vendeans, 
however, was Hill more deplorable ; for the 
Greeks fatisfied, after the deftruction of the empire 
of Priam, with the exemplary vengeance which 
they inflicted for the rape of Helen, never 
thought of following the unhappy remains of Ilion; 
whilft the republicans, in order to extinguish every 
fpark of the conflagration, were eager for the total 
extermination of thefe unhappy fugitives, who every 
where met an enemy, and who could not move a 
ftep except at the point of the fword. 

p [It 



106 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

It was impoflible for any fituation to be more 
defolate than that of the Vendeans, on leaving 
their boats : a fugitive army in a ftrange country, 
without provifions, burdened with a number of 
women and children, followed by a victorious army, 
and without any other profpect than certain death. 
Defpair, it has been faid, produces miracles, and the 
ftrength of mind difplayed by the Vendeans under 
thefe circumftances is certainly wonderful. The 
whole of France was aftonifhed to fee men whom 
they imagined were deftroyed, call forth new vigor 
and new means. It has been remarked, that in 
pafling the Loire, they had become new men, 
and that they recovered their courage on lofing fight 
of the place of their misfortunes. Their forces 
indeed appeared fuddenly to increafe in proportion 
to their diftrefs ; their new combats could only be 
compared to thofe of giants ; and if the genius of 
the republic had not guarded her with a watchful 
eye, and guided her brave defenders to the battle 
of Mans, fhe might have been in danger of being 
deftroyed in her infancy. Not that the republican 
army had loft any of the brilliant courage by which 
it triumphed at Chollet, but what could be done 
againft defperadoes, who, placed between the 
bayonet and the fcaffbld, knew no danger, preci- 
pitated themfelves into the midft of the thickeft 

battalions, 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. iC>7 

battalions, and fought fof' either victory or death - 9 
but the recital of thofe bloody actions will confirm 
what I have here advanced. 

The firft town which fubmitted to the Vendeans 
upon their landing, was Varades*; Ancenis had 
refilled in vain ; its barriers and iron gratings 
were beaten down by the cannon, and it fell into 
the hands of the enemy. 

Ingrande, Segre, and Cande alfo fubmitted to 
the fame yoke : Chateau- Gontier attempted to 
try the chance of arms ; but after an engagement 
of fome hours, the republicans too weak, were 
obliged to retreat, and leave the town to the con- 
querors. This example did not intimidate the 
inhabitants of Laval ; they aflembled near their 
walls a fufficient number of the national guard, 
upon whom they founded their hopes : thefe new 
levies, however, could not long refift a formidable 
and difciplined army ; in lefs than an hour, the 
mafs was difperfed, and the colours of the Vendee 
waved on the walls of Laval. It was in this town 
that Laroche-Jaquelin, previouily a$[ Dinted at 

* Varades had been taken by a Vendean detachment pre- 
vious to the paflage of the army. # 

p 2 Varades, 



Io8 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

Varades, generaliflimo o£ the infurgents, made the 
enumeration of his army. He found that it 
amounted to thirty thoufand foot, and one thou- 
fand two hundred cavalry, befides an immenfe 
number of women and children. 

Meanwhile, the conquerors of Chollet, after 
having parled the Loire, purfued by forced marches 
the prey which had efcaped them. Two days after 
the capture of Laval, the brave Mayencais, at the 
head of the advanced guard, appeared under its 
walls, and polled themfelves near the bridge d'En- 
trafme, where the Vendean army flew to meet them. 
The Mayencais had to fuflain the honour they 
had obtained at Chollet, and their adverfaries to 
wipe off the difgrace : they accordingly fought 
with the greater! fury. The former, greatly in- 
ferior in point of number, had on their fide fkill 
and difcipline ; while the Vendeans were fuperior 
in numbers, and fought defperately. After a battle 
of fix hours, the victory flill remained doubtful, 
till Stofflet, by a fudden attack, decided it in 
favour of the rebels. At the head of a body of 
fifteen hundred men, he made a circuit, and 
taking the enemy's columns fuddenly in' the rear, 
fired at the diflance of forxy paces, and then rufhed 
on wgh charged bayonets. This brifk attack 

threw 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. log 

threw the republican ranks into diforder ; driven 
forcibly one againfl the other, the two parties were 
intermixed, and their mufquets became ufelefs ; 
they feized each other by the hair of the head, 
righting only with their bayonets, and the field of 
battle was covered with the flain. Notwithstanding 
the prodigious valour of the Mayencais, they were 
thrown into diforder, and could neither with- 
stand the force of the two attacks, nor fight, rally, 
or make a good retreat. The enemy made a terri- 
ble ilaughter of thefe brave men, the lofs of whom 
their country muft for ever deplore, and whofe 
memory muft for ever be held in veneration. 
Thofe who efcaped retreated to Chateau- Gontier. 
Several Vendeans have allured me, that the Mayen- 
cais might have been aflifted by a republican, 
column, which was near Laval ; but that from a 
bafe fentiment of jealoufy, they rather determined to 
facrifice men, who were regarded even by their ene- 
mies as the flower of the republican army. This 
affertion is, however, probably ill-founded, and 
appears entirely fo, when all c i re urn fiances are 
confidered. 

The republicans, however, did not lofe any of 
their courage, as the greater part of the conquerors 
of Chollet had not fhared in the lafl battle. 

General 



110 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

General Lechelle who commanded them, was not 
long before he prefented himfelf at Laval ; but 
even the fmali interval which had occured fince the 
laft battle was fufficient to procure the Vendeans a 
considerable reinforcement, and more than ten 
thoufand malcontents of the environs of Laval had 
joined the Vendean army. It is difficult to conceive 
how Laroche-Jaquelin could have gained a third 
victory without this reinforcement. Notwithstand- 
ing all the courage of the republicans, they were 
obliged to yield ; fortune had deferted the banners 
of the patriotic armies fince the paiTage of the 
Loire. After a long and bloody battle, the repub- 
lican ranks were thrown into confufion, and the 
rout was foon complete. At this battle, Lefcures, 
obferving the danger into which his army would be 
drawn by a defeat, rufhed amongfl the ranks, and 
fo animated the Vendeans, that falling on the enemy 
with redoubled fury, the battle was foon decided. 
I have heard, that general Lechelle, not being 
able to rally the -fugitives, loft his fenfes, but I am 
not certain of the truth of this affertion. The 
viclors advanced next day to Chateau- Gontier, 
v»hich town ferved as an afylum for the vanquifhed. 
They had an engagement in this place, in which 
general Beaupuy performed prodigies of valour. 
This brave general, at the head of a felecl corps, 

fuftained 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. Ill 

fuftained for a long time the efforts of the enemy. 
Being at length wounded by a ball, which had 
pierced his lungs, he fent his fhirt (lained with 
blood to his grenadiers : animated at the fight, 
they made frefh efforts to wrefl the vi&ory from the 
Vendeans ; but the reft of the army being in full 
retreat, they were finally obliged to abandon the 
field of battle. 

The victories gained by the rebels after the 
pafTage of the Loire, had created more furprife 
than alarm in the republicans. A divifion of new 
troops and chaffeurs of Paris, pofhed at Ernee, 
determined to wait for the conquerors, and 
Laroche-Jaquelin was equally refolved to make 
them repent their temerity. By a well-planned 
manoeuvre, he divided his army into three co- 
lumns, and fo well concealed his movements 
from the enemy, that they had not the leaft 
idea ok his approach. Two of thefe columns 
made a circuit in order to furround the patriots, 
whilfl another column advanced towards therrr 
in front ; feeing the fcanty numbers of the enemy, 
the republicans were aftonifhed at their daring 
courage, and flew boldly to the attack. Laroche- 
Jaquelin, to draw them flill farther into the fnare, 
withdrew a few paces, and the republicans, per- 
ceiving 



112 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

ceiving the enemy give way, redoubled their efforts ; 
they thought themfelves fecure of victory; when 
the other two columns of the infurgents fuddenly 
appeared, and took them in flank and rear. Ado- 
nifhed at this threefold attack, the republicans only 
thought of efcaping, and in an inftant their rout 
was complete. This lafl victory fpread terror 
through all the departments of Britanny : Fou- 
geres was carried by aiTault, and Aufhrain, Dol, 
Pontorfon, and Avranches threw open their gates 
to the conquerors. It is faid, that at this crifis, 
Laroche- Jaquelin propofed in the council to march 
to Paris, and if they did not fucceed in getting 
pofTeffion of it, to attack the army of the North 
in the rear, while the Auflrians marched upon it 
in front. So bold a proportion aftonifhed the 
other chiefs ; fome wifhed to take the road of 
Angers, and following up their advantages from 
the difperfion of the patriotic armies, return into 
the Vendee : others, deceived by the promifes of 
the Englifh, propofed to take Granville, that they 
might have a fea-port, where they could difembark. 
This plan, certainly the worft that the Vendeans 
could have followed, was, happily for the republic, 
that which the majority adopted. Granville was 
therefore attacked three days fucceilively, but 
without fuccefs. Not being able to find in the 

whole 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. Il3 

whole army a man who knew the ftate of the for- 
tifications of this place, the infurgents attacked it 
on the ftrongeft fide, and after three days unfuc- 
cefsful fiege, were obliged to retreat, The gar- 
rifon of this town by its gallant refinance covered 
itfelf with glory*. 

Afhamed of the firft repulfe which they had 
met with fince their paffage, the Vendeans re- 
turned to Vitri ; a republican corps was the firft 
to experience, that if the rebels underftood nothing 

of 



* Of the pafTage acrofs the Loire and the defence of Gran- 
ville, we extract the following account from the third volume 
of Mifs Williams's Letters. 

" It was at this period that the Committee of Public Safety, 
through the organ of Barrere, publifhed the happy accom.- 
plifhment of their prophetic decree, by declaring that the 
' Vendee exifted no longer.' At Paris, as no one dared to 
doubt of the infallibility of the Committee, and ftill lefs to 
fufpect its veracity, we imagined that the royalifts had been 
completely crufhed, becaufe the Committee informed the Con- 
vention, ' that they exifted no more.' We learned, however, 
very foon what this annihilation of the Vendee meant. It 
was not altogether one of thofe agreeable figures of rhetoric 
with which Barrere was wont to harangue the Convention, 
fince there was fome truth in the declaration, which we did 
not difcover at the firft glance; for the great army of the roy- 
o^. alifts 



1 l4 YIEW OF THE CIVIL 

of fieges, they knew perfe&ly well how to fight 
in the field. From Vitri the conquerors went 

to 

alifts had indeed evacuated the feat of war in the Vendee, if 
that could be called an evacuation which was a triumphal 
march acrofs the Loire. This pafTage was accomplished with- 
out any lofs, and the royalifl army remained on the northern 
fide, without moleftation, for three days ; after which they 
began their march towards the fea coaft acrofs the departments, 
which form the eaftern parts of the provinces of Brittany. It 
might have been expected that their pafTage would have been 
oppofed, or their march harraffed; and that this did not hap- 
pen, was another of Phillipeaux's myfteries j but the royalifts 
were fuffered to take uninterrupted pofTeffion of the country as 
far as Laval, having furrounded four thoufand men who were 
fent in purfuit of them, and whom they cut in pieces; the 
fansculotte general, Olignier, who was ordered to march againfl 
the royaliffc, and protect the patriots, having thought it more 
prudent to keep always at ten leagues diftance. From Laval 
they marched to Vitri, a place which was reprefented as a moft 
advantageous and formidable pafs, of which alfo they took 
pofTeffion, as the conventional GeneraluTimo had effected its 
evacuation, though he had every means of refiftance, and 
might have flopped the march of the enemy ; finee the place 
was fortified, had a garrifon of four thoufand men, and was 
provifioned for more than a month. This place, which the 
inhabitants after the departure of the garrifon would have de- 
fended, if they had not been forbidden, was taken, and the 
royalifts, after defeating fome other corps which were fent fuc- 
ceffivelv againfl them, marched on without further refiftance 
to the -coafts, through Avranches to Granville. 

Granville < 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. Il5 

to Dol, where they were fhortly afterwards attacked 
bv three columns of the enemy. It feemed as 

if 

Granville is a fea port on that part of the coaft which fronts 
the iflands of Jerfey and Guernfey, ftretching north and fouth, 
and forming a right angle with the coaft that goes towards 
St. Maloes and Breft, of which the famous mountain of St. Mi- 
chael is the point. It is the only port on that coaft, and the 
poffeffion of it would have given the royalifts the advantage of 
' immediate communication with the allies of the emigrants and 
the hnglifh, and the means of fecuring the moft effective fuc- 
cOur. As they had parted through a large tract of country with 
fo little interruption, they did not expect much refiftance, 
where the means of making it were fo few, and therefore con- 
cluded they could repulfe the garrifon of Granville, which had 
marched out to meet them, and make themfelves matters of 
that important place as eafily as they had gained the reft. They 
took potTeffion of the fuburbs; but when they prepared to 
fcale the walls, they found a refiftance which they had little 
expected. The firft hero that fell was the mayor, in the habit 
of His office, who had taken the command of the principal poft. 
The royalift artillery made great ravages, and the houfes in the 
fuburbs afforded the affailarlts considerable flicker. The be- 
fieged fet fire to thefe houfes, and the attack became frill 
more defperate : the royalifts were often driven down the ram- 
parts, and the rocks that overhung the town ftreamed with 
blood. This battle lafted near thirty hours, and I have been 
told by one of my acquaintance who fought on the republican 
fide, that the fpectacle was truly fublime. Not only every 
man, but every woman and child was that day a warrior — the 
artillery was ferved by the children, who, forming chains from 
0^2 the 



1 1 6 TIEW OF THE CIVIL 

if the republicans had united all their forces, in 
order to crufh the rebels at one blow. The at- 
tack commenced at three points, upon the high 
roads of Pontorfon, Antrain, and at St. Malo. — 
To make head more effectually againft the enemy, 
I^aroche-Jaquelin divided his army into three bo- 

the arfenal to the ramparts, conveyed the ammunition, while 
the women were employed in aflifting their hufbands, bro- 
thers, and fathers, and preventing the flames of the houfes in 
the fuburbs from communicating to thofe in the town. 

The royalifls were at length repulfed with great lofs by this 
handful of republicans, and all the important advantages which 
they reafonably expected from this expedition, failed. They 
were forced to retreat back to the Loire, and in this retreat 
they might have been completely cut off; but the cowardly 
and debating genius of fansculotifm again prevailed ; for Rof- 
fignol kept at feven leagues diflance with his army at the 
moment of the perilous paffage at Dol, and when the royalifls 
had effected it, he brought up his troops who were completely 
routed and driven back to Rennes. The royalift army in their 
retreat laid fiege to Angers, which was bravely defended by the 
garrifon and the inhabitants in the abfence of Roffignol. At 
Mans, the royalifls were defeated with great lofs by Wefler- 
mann : having divided themfelves into two columns, they at- 
tempted to pafs the Loire at Chateau-briant and Ancenis ; but 
their good fortune fled when the fanfculotte'general had ceafed 
to command. At Ancenis they were again routed with great 
flaughter, and the pafTage of the Loire was effected with a very 
confiderable lofs." — Note of the Tranjlatw* 

dies. 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. H7 

dies. After feveral hours fighting, this general 
fucceeded in defeating the divifion oppofed to 
him; but whilft he was engaged in purfuing the 
enemy, he was informed that Stofflet, who com- 
manded one of the three bodies of his army, had 
been brifkly repulfed, and that, polled in a wood 
with two pieces of cannon, he was on the point of 
yielding to the republicans. He was alfo informed 
at the fame time, that the commandant of the 
other divifion was taken prifoner, and that every 
thing on that fide was in confufion. At this 
intelligence, he marched back, and fell vigoroufly 
upon Antrain to difengage his troops. Stofflet 
felt new ardor at his arrival, and the battle was 
renewed. 

The exertions of both parties were now di- 
rected to this point ; the battles of Chollet and 
and Laval excepted, no engagement had yet been 
fo bloody, as that which was now fought with un- 
exampled fury. » Their bayonets crofied more than 
once, and blood flowed in abundance. After fifteen 
hours fighting, victory at length declared itfelf for 
Laroche-Jaquelin, in confequence of a vigorous 
and rapid charge which he made at the head of a 
body of referve. The number of killed on both 
fides was very confiderable, and this battle may 

certainly 



II 8 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

certainly be confidered as one of the longeft and 
moll fanguinary of the whole war*. 

So many bloody defeats would have depopu- 
lated any other country but France ; Perfia and 
Affyria were formerly overturned by lefs ihocks. 
When we reflect that, independently of this des- 
tructive civil war, France had to combat the 
greater part of the powers of Europe, we are at a 
lofs to conceive how me could fuftain fuch an un- 
equal conteft. It is furprifing, alfo, that a ftate 
with a bad internal government, mould have fo 
well maintained itfelf externally. Never was French 
energy difplayed to fuch advantage. Rome, with 
its boafted magnanimity, trembled on hearing of 
the defeat of Cannes ; the march of Spartacus, 
and the revolt of her allies were feveral times ex- 
pected to overthrow this warlike republic ; but the 
power of Rome was precarious, her citizens fcarcely 
making a fiftieth part of her allies and bondmen : 
the deflruction of ten legions would have been 
to her an incurable wound; in a word, neither 
her power, refources, nor energy can be compared 
with thofe which France difplayed during the nu- 
merous ftorms of the revolution. 

* See Note, No. XIV. 

Meanwhile 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. lig 

Meanwhile Laroche-Jaquelin, aftonifhed at be- 
holding the efforts of the republic, and perceiving 
that one bloody engagement was only the fore- 
runner of another ftill more fanguinary ; deceived 
alfo by thofe from whom he expected affiftance, 
weakened by his loffes, and in fine, lofing all 
hope of an insurrection in mafs of the Eaftern 
provinces, refolved on returning to the Vendee. 
This project might have been executed a month 
before, but at this period a return was impomble. 
The enemy had employed all this time in fortifying 
the places and bridges by which the Vendeans 
might have effected their paffage. 

In order to make their way, they were now ne- 
cemtated to befiege feveral places, which, as I have 
already obferved, they were not capable of under- 
taking. Not withftan ding all thefe obflacles, the 
army, however, began its march, and arrived at 
Ernee ; it was in this town they depoiited the 
remains of the brave Lefcures. This general, 
wounded at Chollet, died a fhort time after the 
battle of Laval : his body had ever fince been 
carried about in the rear of the army; but at 
length, forefeeing the dangers which threatened 
them, Laroche-Jaquelin ordered it to be buried 
with military honours at Ernee. A few days after 

this 



120 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

this event, the Vendeans reached the gates of 
Angiers ; the garrifon was commanded by the gal- 
lant Beaupuy, who, though wounded, ordered him- 
felf to be carried upon the ramparts. This general 
repulfed with vigor all the attacks of the enemy, 
and by his fpirited refiflance gave time to the 
republicans to come to his afliftance. Learning 
the arrival of a new republican army, the Ven- 
deans raifed the fiege, and refolved on returning 
to Britanny to recruit, but, attacked in their retreat 
by feveral columns, they did not reach Bauge" until 
after five days of continual fighting. 

On the day following the town of La Fleche 
endeavouring to oppofe their paflage, was taken 
by ftorm*, and the rebels marched upon Mans, 

which 

* Since the period of their paflage of the Loire, the Ven- 
deans had never found themfelves in fo critical a fituation. 
The town of La Fleche, defended by forty thoufand men, and 
by the river of the Loire, the bridges of which had been def- 
troyed, prefented to the affailants an infurmountable barrier ; 
on the other fide, the advanced guard of the republican army 
was fighting with the rear-guard of the Vendeans. Thus 
hemmed in between a river and an army, the infurgents 
had no means whatever of efcape, when Laroche-Jaquelin, at 
the head of a detachment of fifteen hundred men, difcovered 
a ford at about two leagues up the river, which he patted, and 

falling 



WAR IN THE VENDUE. 121 

which they alfo took after a very warm refiftance. 
Some days afterwards, .Laroche-Jaquelin hearing 
that Weflermann, who had been fent back to the 
Vendue, was approaching at the head of a nume- 
rous army to drive him from Mans, was- guilty of 
a fault, which brought about the ruin of his party. 
Inftead of marching off his foldiers from Mans, 
where plenty and good living enervated their cou- 
rage, and leading them to meet the enemy, he 
refolved to remain in that pofl, which he thought 
advantageous. Weftermann foon prefented him- 
felf before this town : Laroche-Jaquelin beat to 
arms, but the greater part of the' Vendeans, in 
a ftate of intoxication, remained infenfible to 
the danger. The cowards, who in the open field 
would have been obliged to fight, remained fe- 
creted in Mans, waiting the ilTue of the en- 
gagement. Although weakened by this defection, 
Laroche-Jaquelin for fome^ime fuflained the fhock 
of the enemy. A battery which he had placed 

falling upon the garrifon, put it to flight, nattily repaired the 
bridge, crofTed over his army, ported his artillery on the 
bridge, and in this flrong pofition,. obliged the republican 
army to retreat. This affair did the greater! honour to Laroche- 
Jaquelin ; to him the Vendean army owed its prefervation, 
and their acclamations after the victory were a fufficient tef- 
timony that they confidered their general as the life and foul 
of their caufe. 

r near 



&22 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

near the town, and which he had mafked, made 
fuch dreadful havoc at the beginning of the en- 
gagement among the republican ranks, that they 
were thrown into diforder, and would have been 
routed, if Weftermann, aflifted by fome of the 
republican generals*, had not renewed the combat. 
The battle had lafted for five hours with equal 
fuccefs, and the vi&ory remained as yet undecided, 
when Laroche-Jaquelin, twice difmounted, having 
had two horfes killed under him, entered Mans 
to give orders. This retreat difpirited the Vendeans, 
who fell back and entered the town with him. 

The general returned in vain to the field of 
battle ; in the midfl of the tumult and clamour 
of the women, his voice was not heard, nor his 
orders obeyed ; thinking therefore the battle loft, 
he aftembled his cavalry and retreated to Laval. 
Meanwhile, the Vendeans who had been fcattered 
about the ftreet, hearing the noife of the cannon, 

* The patriotic generals were fo often fufpended or broke 
by an unfettled and jealous government, that it is not eafy 
in this work to notice in a concife manner the different 
chiefs who have commanded the republican armies, during 
the three campaigns of 1792, 1793? and 1794; I know, 
however, that in the battle of Mans, the brave Marceau 
acted as general in chief. 

afTembled, 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. _ 120 

afTembled, and advanced againil the enemy. 
The engagement began once more in the itreets 
of Mans, and became more fanguinary than 
ever : enraged at feeing the victory fo long dis- 
puted, the republicans ruined with fury into the 
enemy's ranks, but were repeatedly driven back 
by the fire of the mufquetry ; a piece of artil- 
lery, charged with cafe-fhot, did the greateft 
execution. This piece which commanded one 
of the principal ftreets of Mans, and which was 
fired upon the patriots at the di fiance of fixty 
paces, fwept away whole ranks. This horrible 
carnage laded till evening, the ftreets of the 
town ftreaming with blood : the Vendeans ftill 
feemed refolved to bury themfelves under its 
ruins ; but the republicans at length gained 
pofTeffion of the principal pofts of the town, and 
the infurgents not feeing their General fighting 
at their head, were under the neceffity of re- 
treating, which they did in platoons, taking the 
road of Laval. Laroche-Jaquelin was fome 
leagues from Mans, when he judged, by die 
found of the artillery, that his troops were ftill 
engaged. Afhamed of too early a retreat, he 
turned his horfe, and haftened at full gallop to 
rejoin his army ; but all that he could do, was 
to protect the retreat of the fugitives with his 
n 3. cavalry. 



12 4 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

cavalry. I have been aflured, that in this re- 
treat, feeing his caufe defperate, he feveral times 
rafhly rufhed upon the enemy, anxious as it 
were for death, but was at length compelled by 
fome of his officers to retreat to Laval. This 
general, whofe courage was fo univerfally acknow- 
ledged, and who had given fo many proofs of 
prefence of mind and military knowledge, com- 
mitted two very capital errors this day : nrft, in 
having waited for the enemy at Mans, inftead 
of withdrawing his forces from that town, and 
fecondly, in having too foon defpaired of 
fuccefs*. 

The Vendeans had no fooner quitted Mans, 
than a carnage ftill more horrible took place in 
this unfortunate city. I (hall draw a veil over 
all the horrors committed in this place, and 
fimpiy flate, that more than eighteen thoufand 
Vendeans, old men, women, and infants, as 

* Several Vendeans have allured me, that Laroche-Jaquelin 
left Mans only to rally the fugitives and renew the combat ; 
this opinion has the air of probability : according to vulgar 
opinion, however, fuccefs is always the fruit of talent, as 
the reverfe is that of inexperience ; a general, therefore, let 
him be ever fo brave and fkilful, is always in fault when he 
is beaten. 

well 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. *25 

well as foldiers, were flaughtered. In other ref- 
pe&s, the republican generals difplayed on this day 
the greateft courage and abilities*. 

The Vendeans had now received a wound from 
which they could never hope to recover. This 
defeat had deprived them of the braveft of their 
foldiers, of their artillery, ammunition, and even 
of hope, the laft refource of the wretched. 

The chiefs aflembled at Laval, and unanimoully 
agreed, that the only plan which the army could 
follow, was to approach the Loire, and attempt the 
paflage, cofl what it would. They accordingly 
marched towards Ancenis, continually harrafTed by 
the republicans. On reaching this town, Laroche- 
Jaquelin ordered rafts, which being badly con- 
flructed, appeared fo unfafe, that the army refufed 
to embark. To encourage them by his example, 
Laroche-Jaquelin, followed by feveral officers, 
fprung upon the firft, and after fbruggling about 
half an hour againft the waves, effected a landing 
on the oppofite fide ; feveral hundreds of his foldiers 
imitated his example, and were as fuccefsful as their 
general. It is thought that the majority of the 

* See Note, No. XX. 

army 



126 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

army would have pafled fuccefsfully, had not 
the republicans fuddenly came up, and driven the 
infurgents to Savenay. On the next day, this army, 
deprived of its general, and entirely difpirited, 
fcarcely made a fhadow of refiftance ; attacked by 
the conquerors, it received its death blow in the 
fields of Savenay. 

Such was the refult of the famous patTage of the 
Loire, which cofl France fo much blood, that no 
Frenchman can flill help fhuddering at the name 
of the civil war in the Vendee, 



CHAPTER 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 1 27 



CHAPTER VII. 



CAMPAIGN OF I79/1 

AFTER the defeat at Savenay, the civil war 
appeared finilhed, and ftricrJy fpeaking, no longer 
exifled in the Vendee. The remains of an army 
which had fo often carried terror even to the 
capital, now fcattered about in the forefts, or fe- 
creted in fome of the communes of Britanny, 
thought of nothing but of the means of pro- 
longing their exiftence, and returning back to 
their homes. Like the Ifraelites, who during 
their captivity at Babylon, upon the banks of 
the Euphrates, wept at the remembrance of Je- 
rufalem, the Vendeans, their eyes continually 
fixed upon that infurmountable barrier which 
divided them from all they held dear, were con- 
triving; 



128 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

triving night and day the means of overcoming 
this obilacle, in order once more to vifit their 
native country. 

Meanwhile Laroche-Jaquelin, cut off from his 
army by this unexpected event, and purfued by 
a numerous detachment of republicans, was 
obliged -to feparate from the few foldiers who 
had followed him, and, accompanied by only 
one officer, withdrew into the woods, to efcape 
the active fearch of the enemy. Overcome with 
hunger and fatigue, he fet off before night with 
his companion ; at the hazard of being difcovered, 
they flopped at the firft houfe chance threw in 
their way, where they found a charitable farmer, 
who after giving them fupper, conducted them 
to a barn to pafs the night. They were fcarcely 
afleep, when the farmer, terrified, came to awake 
them. " Gentlemen," faid he, " fly inflantly ; 
my houfe is filled with republicans ; you alio run 
the more riik, as they even propofe to fleep in 
this very barn, and will be here immediately." 
" My friend," replied Laroche-Jaquelin, " though 
we fhould perifTi yet we muft fleep ; leave us 
and the care of our prefervation to Providence." 
The farmer was fcarcely gone out, when the 
republicans entered, and, climbing up on the 

hay, 



WAR IN- THE VENDEE. 1 29 

hay, fell afleep by the fide of the two Vendeans. 
Being all extremely fatigued, they flept during 
che night, and at day break, Laroche-Jaquelin 
awoke his comrade, and each taking a mufket, 
haflened away from fo perilous an abode. After 
two days march, they withdrew into a wood, 
having no other fubfiltence than what they took 
from fuch as were within reach of their muikets ; 
but wearied at length by fo miferable a way of 
life, they bent their fleps towards Chatillon. 
Laroche-Jaquelin from thence fent feveral emirTa- 
ries into all the neighbouring parifhes to raife 
new forces, but the remembrance of the defeats 
at Mans and Savenay was yet too ftrong in the 
minds of the Vendeans, to lead them to face 
new dangers. The commands of the general 
were no longer regarded, and all that he could do, 
was to affemble a few of the old foldiers who 
had efcaped from the laft engagements. 

I have no doubt, but that if the Government at 
this period had confided the command of the repub- 
lican forces to fuch a fkilful, prudent, and above 
all moderate general, as Hoche, who reached 
this country too late, the civil war would have 
been completely quelled. Had an amnefty been 
granted at this moment, it would have won their 
s hearts 



l3o VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

hearts to the republic, clofed up their wounds, 
and in a word, have prevented the danger and 
expence of a new civil war ; but the Committee 
of Public Safety, intoxicated with power, and 
maddened into rage, thinking that blood only 
could quench the flame, fent into the Vendee, in 
quality of commifTary, one of thofe monflers 
which nature fometimes produces as the fconrge 
of mankind, one of thofe blood-thirfty tigers, 
refembling human kind only in its form. The 
barbarous Carrier, reaching Nantes furrounded 
by executioners, himfelf more inhuman than any 
of them, inundated the town, and flained the 
Loire with a deluge of blood ; and on the other 
fide, the republican generals, inftead of applying 
healing balms to their dreadful wounds, made 
ufe only of the mofl violent cauflics 3 fire and 
fword. It might well have been faid, that the 
Vendeans in their eyes were no part of the human 
race ; women with child, the fuperannuated and 
difeafed, the infant in the cradle ; nay, even the 
beafts*, houfes, (tones, and alfo the foil, appeared 

to 

* It is calculated that eleven hundred thoufand oxen have 
perifhed either by the fire or the fword, in this fertile coun- 
try, from whence Paris and the other great communes of 

the 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 101 

to them fo many enemies deferving extermination ; 
and I have no doubt, but that, if they had had 
the power, they would have hurled the thunder- 
bolt on this unfortunate country, to reduce it 
once more to Chaos. If the reader conceives 
this flatement exaggerated, let him have the cou- 
rage to read the different proces verbaux inferted 
at the end of the memorial of Lequinio, printed 
at Paris the flrft of Brumaire, third year -, let 
him can; his eyes on the pieces annexed to the 
trial of Carrier, and alfo to the depofitions and 
denunciations addreffed at the time to the Com- 



the interior heretofore were fupplied with the greater part of 
their provifions". Lequimo, Ouvragefur la Kendee, p. 164. 

It is a fact, that the greateft part of the incendaries di- 
verted themfelves with liftening to the moans of the bullocks 
in their flails, which were on fire, not fuffering them to be 
untied ; they have been alfo feen, when they had nothing 
to fear from the enemy, take delight in plunging their bay- 
onets into the fides of the oxen fattened to the waggons 
which contained their food. What fhall 1 fay to the burning 
of corn and fodder, of the rapes, mafTacres, &c. 
' Non mihi fi linguae centum fint, oraque centum, 
Ferrea vox omnes fcelerum comprendere formas 

Poffim 

Note of the Author. 
See Mifs Williams's letters, from page 51 to 54. Vol. III. 

Note of the Tranflator. 

s 2 mittee 



1^)2 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

mittee of Public Safety, and reprinted in the 
different journals. 

At the recital of fo many atrocities, the Ven- 
dean party revived ; Laroche-Jaquelin found a 
new army, at the head of which he took Chollet, 
beat feveral republican divifions, and each day 
made further progrefs. In vain had the victory 
of Savenay been followed by the capture of the 
ifle of Noirmoutiers, and the generalliffimo D'Elbee, 
mortally wounded at Chollet, been fhot in his 
chair; thefe continued fuccelTes could not daunt 
men, who had no alternative but to fight or die. 
Charrette, though beaten at Bouin, and driven 
from this iile, bad afTembled an army, with 
which he penetrated as far as Maulevrier, where 
his prefence gave new courage to the party of 
Laroche-Jaquelin. 

Thefe tidings roufed fuch of the Vendeans as 
had efcaped the carnage of Savenay. By dint 
of money, they bribed watermen to tranfport 
them acrofs the Loire in the night. Although 
the republicans hunted them as wild beafts, the 
foreft of Printiau flickered them during the day,, 
and at night they rejoined Charrette, who, pofted 
on the banks with eight thoufand men, recruited 

his 



WAH IN THE VENDEE. l55 

his army with thefe new foldiers. Several chiefs, 
and among the reft, Bernard de Marigny, at 
length joined Laroche-Jaquelin. It was about 
this time, that the two columns, named the 
infernal, received orders to march through the 
Vendee, and to deftroy every thing they met in 
their paifage with fire and fwoid : and never were 
favage orders executed with more barbarity. I 
ihall not dwell upon all the horrors they com- 
mitted, but merely refer the reader, if he has 
courage enough to examine this hideous picture, 
to the memorial of the reprefentative "Lequinio, 
which I have already noticed ; all that I mail 
flate is, that the atrocities, previoufly committed, 
were merely child's play, compared with thefe 
new horrors ; thefe infernal ' columns maflacred 
about the fourth of the remaining population of 
the country ; by the burning of corn, houfes, 
cattle, and other ravages of all kinds, they cofl 
the Vendue upwards of twenty-five millions; an 
enormous lofs, which thirty years of peace and 
profperity can fcarcely repay : and in fhort, by 
increaling the Vendean army in a tenfold pro- 
portion, and thereby prolong : ng the war, they 
caufed to France an expence of more than fifty 
thoufand men. I know that the chiefs, who 
were commiffioned to execute thefe barbarous 

meafures, 



i34 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

meafures, have pretended that they acted only 
in confequence of fuperior orders ; if this be true, 
as I am ready to admit, it is but juft to throw 
the blame of thefe cruelties upon the real authors. 
Whatever may be the real ftate of the cafe, on 
the approach of thefe exterminating columns, 
every perfon flew to the woods; thofe who till 
then had difapproved the war, and had not at 
all interfered, were the flrft to arm, and advance 
againft the common enemy. 

The patriots who came back to the Vendee, 
finding their property deflroyed, no longer knew 
what power to implore ; the greater part, efcaping 
by night, reached the frontier towns, and fpread 
univerfal alarm. The magi Urates of thefe towns, 
filled with indignation, called on the govern- 
ment for vengeance ; in a word, the diforder 
became general. Taking advantage of this con- 
fufion, Charrette advanced upon Lianche, and 
furprifed one of thefe armies. The foidiers loaded 
with fpoiis*, chofe to fly rather than fight : more 

than 

* When their knapfacks were full, they loft all relim for 
fighting, fearing they fhould lofe them, and the foidiers were 
continually afking for hofpital tickets- The chiefs a£ted ftill 
worfe : they put into requifition the carts belonging to the 

communes, 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. l55 

than three hundred thoufand livres and five hun- 
dred fufils fell into the hands of the infurgents, 
who drove the republicans back to Puy-Belliard, 
leaving Charrette mafter of the country, at the 
head of more than fifteen thoufand men. This 
infernal expedition, therefore, which had been 
held forth as the means of finifhing the civil 
war, was precifely the caufe of its revival ; ail 
the cruelties, conflagrations, and horrors were of 
no other avail than to inflame the pafiions to 
the higheft pitch ; producing no other effect 
than that oft ruining the country, of heightening 
flill further the joy of our enemies, and giving 
to this war, thus hideous in all its features, 
the exact fimilitude of a war of cannibals. 

The reader, no doubt, will be curious to know 
what meafures Charrette took, after the paffage of 
the Loire, to maintain himfeif in the Vendee. So 

communes, carried off all the bell: articles from the houfes of 
the patriots, and then permitted thefe unfortunate perfons to 
move the reft, that they might have the brutal pleafure of 
burning their houfes. After this conflagration, the patriots 
were no fooner brought into the middle of the column, 
than the volunteers, following the example of their genetals, 
feized the reft, killed the men, violated their wives and daugh- 
ters, and afterwards bayonetted them" —Lequinio, pages 

136, 137. 

' long. 



1^9 VIEW OP THE CIVIL 

long as Laroche-Jaquelin had kept in a&ion the 
greater part of the republican troops on the other 
fide of the river, it is not aftonifhing that he mould 
have been able to withftand the divifions fend againft 
him ; but after the capture orNoirmoutiers, when 
the generals might have turned their whole force 
againft him, it was certainly wonderful to fee him 
ftruggle with advantage againft fuch numerous and 
terrible enemies. It was alfo under thefe circum- 
ftances that he difplayed the greateft abilities ; for 
when he faw the ftorm ready to burft over him, 
inftead of following the example of the Upper 
Vendee, that of collecting all his forces, and 
hazarding a decifive engagement, he fought only 
to harrafs his enemies, to intercept their provifions, 
to furprife their detached parties, and to fall upon 
their rear-guard when he found it entangled in 
narrow paries and difficult roads. 

If he found himfelf clofely prefTed by a fuperior 
army, whilft the enemy were ranging themfelves 
in order of battle, Charrette gave the order Sauve 
Qui pent ; in an inftant every man difappeared : 
followed by thirty horfemen, he fled with the 
created expedition to fuch town as he had fixed 
upon for the rallying point, which was fometimes 
more than eight leagues from the field of battle, 

and 



\VAR IN THE VENDEE. $$f 

and whiie the republicans, eager for the fpoiis, 
fpread themfelves in platoons about the neighbour- 
ing villages, Charrette fell on the different corps, 
and killed great numbers, till threatened by the 
approach of the enemy, he gave frefh orders, and 
•difappeared with his troops. He reaped great ad- 
vantages from this mode of carrying on the war; for 
the patriots, unable to fubfift in a ruined country, 
immediately on their convoys being interrupted, 
were obliged to abandon the interior of the Vendee, 
and retire to their refpective pofitions. It was 
hy fuch means, that Charrette fo long maintained 
himfelf in his country, and rendered himfelf as 
formidable to his enemies after a defeat, as 
Laroche-Jaquelin and Lefcures after their victories. 
It muft be admitted, however, that in fpite of all 
the dexter ty of this fubtle chieftain, he would have 
been crufhed in the courfe of the campaign by the 
republican armies, if, at this crifis, a new confla- 
gration, no lefs terrible than that of the Vendee, 
had not burfr forth on the other fide of the Loire. 
The war of the Chouans made a powerful diverfion 
in favour of Charrette, Half the republican forces 
were obliged to crofs this river, in order to oppofe 
the progrefs of this new Vendee, which was fo 
much the more terrible as its extent was greater, 
and as it approached fo much nearer the capital. 
t The 



l38 YIEW OF THE CIVIL 

The chiefs of thefe new enemies made their attacks 
only in the night. Their fcanty refources did not 
allow them to engage in fuch decifive battles as 
in the Vendee had fo often balanced the deftinies 
of France. Although this infurrection was not 
fo formidable as the former, it caufed no lefs alarm 
to the government. It was providential that this 
war did not burft forth till aifter the victories of 
Laval* as the enemy, aided by fuch a powerful 
party, might have committed the fate of the 
republic, and the confequences of fuch a reunion 
would have been incalculable. But, I fhall not 
pretend to give a precife hiftory of this difaftrous 
war ; the talk I have undertaken is already too irk* 
fome, and 1 mould find little pleafure in enter^ 
ing on a career in which every flep would be ob- 
ftru&ed with carcafes, and the eye dwell only on 
affafiinations*. I fliall content myfelf with making 

one 

* Several friends to whom I had fhown my raanufcripf, 
were anxious that I mould dwell more at length upon the 
cruelties which were committed in the Vendee ; they thought 
the public would read with avidity the anecdotes of the 
mafTacre of Machecoul, the noyades of Carrier, the afiaffina- 
tions, rapes, and conflagrations of the infernal columns ; but 
the work of Lequinio contains enough to fatisfy readers who are 
fond of fuch details ; my pen has feveral times refufed to 
trace thefe horrors. Befides, I think it ufelefs to affright 

foreigners 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. l5g 

©lie observation. Many perfons have attributed 
the name of Cbouans, which was beftowed on thefe 
new infurgents, to three brothers named Chouins : 
feveral Vendeans have allured me> that there 
really did exifl three brothers of that name- 
However that may be, it was not from them that 
the rebels, on the other fide of the Loire, gained 
the name of Chouans. Under the old government 
of France, the fak-fmugglers had taken for their 
watch note the hooting of the owl, which they made 
ufe of either to efcape the officers, known by the 
name of gabeleurs i or as a fignal for refiftance, 
when they thought themfelves fumciently in force* 
Among the firfl infurgents of this country were 
a great number of thefe fmugglers, who affembled 
by means of this fignal. Their cries, heard a great 
diftance off in the country, fpread terror amongft 
the citizens attached to the republic ; not think- 
ing themfelves able to refill thefe nocturnal enemies 
they took to flight, and every where fpread the 

foreigners with the recital of our crimes ; they are already 
too well convinced that the war in the Vendee was a war - 
of cannibals : withouf doubt, it would have been more to 
the honour of France to have buried thefe tranfactions in 
the moft profound oblivion, and hid in the bowels of the 
earth the bones of the unfortunate of every age and fex, 
with which the Vendean fields are as it were whitened. 

t 2 alarms 



lio VIEW OF THE ClVltT 

alarm, crying, Take care of the Chouettes y and by' 
corruption* Take care of the Chouans* This is 
the real original of a name fubftituted by the Ja^ 
cobins at that time for the nicknames of ariftocrate'^ 
feuillant, federalize, am:modere, which they had 
bellowed pn all thofe who did not coincide with 
their opinions. This digreffion upon the Chouans 
however has drawn me wide from my fubje&j 
to which I return^ 

Whilft Charrette fuecefsfully maintained Kirn* 
felf in this country, Laroche-Jaquelin on hi§ 
fide made every day new progrefs ; fornetimes 
victorious* and at others defeated ; one day he 
took a town, and the next day was obliged tti 
evacuate it ; continually on the march, he threatened 
the different cantonments about him ; keeping 
his foldiers in conftant exercife, and every day 
finding his party increafed by the wrecks of Chollet 
and Savenay The republicans* on their fide, 
redoubled their efforts to crufh in the bud this 
frelh infurre&iom If they advanced in mafs* 
they found no enemies, if they went back to 
their ilifferent cantonments, they were every day 
obliged to repel attacks* and fometimes even to 
r un- ergo partial defeats. Laroche Jaquelin iid 
{iot leave them a minutes reft, and by number- 

lefs 



\VAR Ttf THE VENDEE. i4f 

lefs different incurfions* poilponed for fome time 
the end of this diiaftrous war : but at length, 
for the tranquillity of the republic, and the ruin 
of his party, the time arrived which fortune had 
fixed for the termination of his active life, 

Laroche-Jaquelin fince his return from the 
departments on the other fide of the Loire, had 
paid very little attention to his perfonal fafety. 
In the preceding combats he had fought as a 
leader, and feveral times as a private, but fince 
his return he affected the mod extravagant rafh- 
nefs. It is faid, that forefeeing the triumph of 
the republic, he waited after the example of 
Lefcures, Bonchamps, and D'Elbee, his friends 
and coadjutors* to bury himfelf under the ruins 
of the Vendee. In a fkirmifh near Vezino, where 
the republicans had been put to the rout, he 
joined with ardor in purfuit of the fugitives. 
Among thefe was a foldier who not being able 
to efcape from the cavalry, had hid himfelf be- 
hind a bum. Laroche-Jaquelin difregarding the 
reprefentations of thofe about him, advanced to 
feize him : the volunteer fure of death, hearing 
the name of the general, wifhed in dying to 
render a laft fervice to his country ; he aimed 
at the imprudent Laroche-Jaquelin, who inflead 

of 



143 Vt£tV OF THE ClVit^ 

.of falling back, advanced with unexampled teme* 
rity, and at the inftant he ilretched out his hand 
to feize him, the foldier (hot him , through the 
head. 

Thus perifhed by the hand of a perfon un- 
known, this celebrated chief, who had rifen fu- 
perior to fo many defeats and reverfes. After 
having efcaped from the battles of Chollet and 
Mans, he fell in a fkirmifh never to rife again, 
and in his fall he drew on that of his whole 
party, Stofflet appointed generaliffirno of the army, 
ordered his death to be kept feeret ; but in fpite 
of all his efforts the report of this irreparable' 
lofs fpread throughout the Vendee, and his 
fate occasioned Co great a confternation, that had 
the republican generals known how to take ad- 
vantage of this event, they would doubtlefs have 
pacified the Upper Vendee. But there was nei- 
ther fuflicient unanimity or harmony among them 
to accomplifh fo defirable an end : too many were 
privately interefied againfh the termination of this 
intefline war : fome wifhed to retain their lu- 
crative employments, others hoped yet to reap 
advantage from the fmoaking ruins of the Vendee* 
and the government* ill advifed* generally adopted 
the worft meafures. Inftead, therefore, of profiting 

bf 



W4-R IN THE VENDEE. l43 

by the confirmation of the jnfurgents, the re- 
publicans evacuated the interior of the country, 
and contented themfelves with eftablifhing camps 
at Chollet, Thouars, and Chiche. By this plan 
a few foldiers were to be kept in . active fervice ; 
but they did not reflect, that in leaving the rebels 
mafters of the diftri&s of Brefluire and Chattillon, 
they allowed them time to recover from their 
alarm, and take meafures of defence, and that by 
this means, the civil war would be necerTarily 
prolonged. 

The different patriotic camps frequently made 
incurfions into the infurgent country, but this was 
of little ufe, fince all the advantages which they 
reaped from thefe partial enterprifes fcarely coun- 
terbalanced the reverfes which they afterwards 
underwent. 

A few individual marTacres, and now and then 
the burning of a few houfes, was the only refult 
of fo ill combined a fyflem ; which would have 
ended eventually in greater diforders, had not the 
government at length by its wifdom and mode-' 
ration put an end to a war which had been ren- 
dered atrocious by the commiflion of fo many 
cruelties. 

The 



l44 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

The evacuation of the Vendee had procured 
fo many advantages to Stofflet, that in lefs than 
ten months, his forces amounted to upwards of 
ten thoufand men. At the head of this army 
he attacked feveral times the poft of Chateignerie ; 
but repulfed by the bravery of the republican 
troops, he was conftantiy obliged to fall back 
on his cantonments. It was at the irTue of one 
of thefe engagements, that, contrad idled by Ber- 
nard de Marigny, one of the braveft officers of 
the Vendee, he inhumanly ordered him to be 
fhot by a body of chaffeurs who were under his 
orders. This barbarous act alienated every one 
from him, and difpofed the chiefs, friends of the 
unfortunate Bernard, to liften to the propofitions 
of peace which were made them, and rid them* 
felves of this defpotic game- keeper. 

Charrette, on his part, although extremely 
weakened, flill maintained himfelf with confiderable 
advantage ; part of the republican forces were then 
employed in reducing the inhabitants' of the 
marines, and although thefe rebels were often routed 
they were never entirely fubdued. It is certain 
that their arms were lefs formidable to the 
patriots, than the unwholefomenefs of the water 
and the air of thefe infectious marines which' had 

deftroyed 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. l45» 

deftroyed more than one half ; in a wdffi, if the 
Vendeans loft ground every day, the republicans 
on their part exhibited in their movements figns 
of languor, the fure forerunners of the termination 
of civil wars. 

I leave it to whoever may write the hiftory 
of the Vendee, to defcribe the events of the reft; 
of the campaign, which prefents nothing but a 
horrid picture of mutual cruelties, and frequent 
actions, but no way decifive. 

I pafs on immediately to the event which de- 
livered France from a yoke as ignominious as it 
was infupportable, to the ninth of Thermidor, 
which by deftroying the anarchifts, crufhed ene- 
mies not lefs to be dreaded than the Vendeans. 

That glorious day, by overthrowing Robefpierre 
and his numerous hordes, faved the whole of 
France from a fate that feemed inevitable ; the 
great changes which it produced in every branch 
of adminiftration foon influenced the fyftem which 
had been till then purfued in the courfe of the 
civil war. Freed at length from the fhamefui 
yoke which had fo long opprefTed it, the Conven- 
tion perceived that the continuance of that intefline 
u war 



l46 . VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

war only- tended to undermine the vital ftrength 
of the body politic and every day accelerate its ruin. 
Too powerful to think itfelf humbled by making 
the flrft advances, the Convention did not difdain 
to hold out its hand to the infurgents in token of 
reconciliation. Peaceably inclined perfons were 
fent in its name to recal the Vendeans to a fenfe 
of their duty and the obligations of nature : all 
violent meafures were laid afide, and thefe bene- 
ficent commiffioners made ufe of nothing but the 
language of reafon and humanity. A fufpenfion of 
arms was the nrft effect of this wife fyftem ; very 
foon after, a treaty, or rather a general amneny, 
figned at the camp of la Jaunaie, agreed upon and 
accepted with mutual good faith, applied a healing 
balm to wounds almofl mortal, and which will yet 
long continue to bleed. On this happy event, 
the Vendean peafantry, laying afide their arms, 
ran to furbiili up their plough fliares, and refume 
the labours of the field; in a very fhort fpace of time 
that defoiated country, covered with frefh crops, 
prefented more confoling propects. The honeft Ven- 
deans at the fight of their rifing harvefls began to feel 
deteflation againfl the inftigators of this atrocious 
war, the fruits of which were the demolishing 
and burning their houfes, mafTacring their families, 
and the lofs of more than four hundred thoufand 

Frenchmen, 



WAS. IN THE VENDEE. 1 ' \>ij 

Frenchmen*. Whatever may have been falfely 
aiferted at the time, it is certain that fince they laid 
down their arms, thefe peaceable hufoandmen have 
not ceafed to give to the mother country the 
ftrongeft pledges of their fincerity and good faith. 
On being folicited fome months after the treaty to 
refume their arms, they conftmtly difclaimed the 
enterprifes of a few reftlefs diflurbers, and re- 
mained unmoved witneffes of their defeat and their 
punifhment. Such was the happy refult of the 
wifdom of the pacificators, to whom France is 
indebted for its moft valuable gift, that of perfect 
union among its citizens. If fince the treaty 
of la Jaunaie, fome embryo fparks have given 
occafion to dread a frclh. eruption -j*, 1 do not 
hefitate to affirm that the Vendean peafantry had no 
fhare whatever in thefe frefh infurrectional move- 
ments. The new infur gents were folely compofed 
of old chiefs, who. finding neither fafety nor pro- 

* See Note, No. XXI. 

f Had it not been for the vi&ory which General Andouin 
gained at Auxbiers on the 13th Brumaire of the year 8, it 
was much to be feared that civil war would have been re- 
kindled. The infurgents already muftered fix thouiand men, 
among whom there was hardly any Vendean peafants ; uever- 
thelefs, the day of the 1 8th Brumaire contributed more to the 
extin&ion of this new flame, than the vidory of Aubiers. 

u' 2 tection. 



i"4& View of the civil 

tectiori in their houfes, were compelled to feet if 
in arms , of confcripts who had taken refuge in 
the neighbouring departments, and alfo of fuch 
as had no vifible means of fubfiflence or live- 
lihood. The perfecution, as unjuft as it was 
impolitic, which* the Directory raifed againft the 
catholic worfhip, may indeed have drawn a few of 
the Vendean peafantry into the party of the new 
infurgents, but the revolution of the 1 8th Brumaire* 
by placing a man admired by all parties at the head 
of the government, diflipated in an inftant, like a 
thin vapour, all thofe appearances of infurrection* 
and fince that happy moment the mofT. perfect 
tranquillity has reigned in that country : the 
Government is every day reaping the fruit of its 
moderation • the minifters of the catholic religion, 
recalled to their duties, conftantly preach nothing 
but fubmiffion to the laws, filencing, by fuch 
wife conduct* the calumnies which have been 
raifed againft them. 



CHAPTER 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. t4() 



CHAPTER VIII. 



1L>F THE INTERIOR GOVERNMENT OF THE VENDED 
DURING THE AVAR. ANECDOTES OF THE MOST 
CELEBRATED GENERALS ON EACH SIDE* 

JDEFORE I conclude this hiftorical Sketch, 
I cannot avoid taking a fhort view of the interior 
government of the Vendee during the war. 

The reader may perhaps imagine that the 
greateft confufion pervaded that country at the 
time ; neverthelefs, excepting thofe evils infepa- 
rable from civil war, it may be averred that 
order was preferved even in the midft of diibrder 
itfelf. 

A fuperior council eflablifhed by the chiefs at 
Chatillon, and directed by the former Bifhop 
of Agra, was the centre of the whole civil go- 
vernment of the Upper Vendee ; with refpect 

to 



k5o VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

to the lower part", I am not pofTeiTed of jfuffi- 
cient information to enter into thefe particulars; 
but I prefume from what has been related to me, 
that it was very nearly formed upon the fame 
principles, except that it gave to the military & 
more abfolute power. 

The fuperior council of Chatillon connected 
the adminiftrative and judicial organization -, it 
had under its orders, "in each commune, a fub- 
committee, entrufted with the details and tranf- 
miffion of various orders. Thefe committees 
diftributed to the foldiers who were marching 
to the army, provifions, wine, and ammunition^ 
befides this, they took every week an account of 

Although the bifliop of Agra prefided over the fupe- 
rior council, it is no lefs certain that he was only confi- 
tiered by the greateft part of the Vendean chiefs as a proper 
inftrument to roufe the fpirit of the people. A celebrated 
ecclefiaflic, whom I dare not name, but whom I point out 
plainly enough to the reader, by faying, that the government 
and the capital fet the greateft value on his virtues and talents, 
was, properly fpeaking, the foul of the civil government 
of the Vendee; he was ftrongly feconded by Michael Defef- 
farts, a magiftrate as much efteemed for his probity as for the 
extent of his knowledge. — Note of the Editor, 

The ecclefiaflic alluded to is the celebrated Abbe Bernier, 
who took part in the last pacification, and is since rewarded 
with a bilhopric— Note of the Tranjlator* 

all 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. l5* 

all capable of bearing arms, named the captains 
of the different companies, decided on the num- 
ber of foldiers who were to be in active fervice, 
and directed their route. In general each parifh. 
was compofed of two companies ; as foon as the 
orders arrived, one of thefe companies fet out 
upon the projected expedition ; upon its return 
home, it was replaced by the other on the firft 
frefh order, fo that each marched only in its turn. 
It happened, however, fometimes that both were 
obliged to be on fervice : this was principally when 
the generals dreaded an invafion of the territory, 
or when they wifhed to ftrike fome decifive blow. 
At the beginning of the War exact difcipline pre- 
vailed in the army*. Every foldier detected in 
pillage, or who demanded more of his landlord 

- than 

* The following is the companion which Citizen Lequinio 
makes in his work between the generals of the two parties. If 
I often quote this author, it is becaufe I am perfuaded his tef- 
timony cannot be fufpected. 

" Perfidious generals authorifed to carry into execution the 
counter revolutionary plan of the tyrant ( Robefpierre ) to 
whofe fchemes this inteftine war was neceflary, proclaimed 
amnefties which they did not obferve : pillage, rape, and cruel 
treatment of all kinds were tolerated by thefe wretches, and 
even taught by their own example. While thefe diforders took 
place, the chiefs of the rebellion had the crafty policy to con- 
ceal 



l5i TIEW OF THE CIVIt 

than lodging and board, was flogged ; but thele 
punifhrnents were always very rare, and only in 
the beginning of the ihfurre&ion ; towards the 
concluflon of the war, the Vendean fhewed as 
much ardour for pillage as the enemy*. The 
police of the communes was intrufled to com- 
mittees ; but their decifions were fub'mitted to the 
final decifion of the fuperior council. With 
refpect to military affairs, they were decided in 
a council of war, compofed of thirty officers ; 
all the expeditions and projects of attack were 
decided on by a majority of votes ; neverthelefs, 
the council generally paid great deference to the 

ceal their barbarous and fanguinary difpofitions, in order to 
• gain adherents ; they had even the hypocrify to make a mew 
of moderation, of refpeet for order, of generality, &c." Let 
quinio, page i8<;. I leave the well-informed and efpecially the 
impartial reader, to make his own commentary upon this 
paflage. 

* At the beginning of the war, the Vendean conqueror 
was feen proftrating himfelf in the churches, and returning 
thanks to the God of armies ; throughout the whole camp 
a fingle blafphemy was not heard : prayer and other different 
exercifes of piety always preceded battles. But this good con- 
duel did not laftlong: by degrees, the love of plunder and the 
thirft of revenge gained ground in the hearts of the 
Vendeans, and towards the end of the war they muttered in 
their army a conliderable number of plunderers, who yielded 
neither in want of difcipline nor ferocity to their opponents. 

advice 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. i53 

advice of Lefcures and Laroche- Jaquelin. I fhall 
not enter into further particulars upon this part 
of the fubjecl: ; what I have juft flated is fumcient 
for this outline, and anfwers the purpofe I ori- 
ginally- intended*. 

I fhall finifh this, chapter with fome account of 
the generals of the two parties, who diftinguifhed 
themfelves in this war. 1 fhall not fpeak of thofe 
who are {till alive, fearful of offending the delicacy 
of fuch as I might think it right to notice with 
approbation and applaufe, and of irritating thofe 
whom I might have reafon to blame ; each may 
however be afTured, that pofterity will one day do 
jufticeto the talents and humanity of the former, as 
well as condemn the latter for their incapacity and 
acts of violence. 

* The reader will perhaps learn with pleafure, that fome 
days before the burning of Chatillon the Vendean chiefs 
had re-organized their civil and military government ; D'Elbee 
retained the title of genera liflimo, but his authority was coun- 
ter-balanced by that of Lefcures' father-in-law, the celebrated 
Donniflant, formerly a field marfhal, and who had been" 
appointed governor of the Vendee. That general, after having 
diftinguifhed himfelf by his talents in almoft every battle which, 
was fought during the campaign of 1793, had the misfortune to 
fall into the hands of his enemies at the battle of Savenay; 
carried to Angers, he perifhed by the guillotine a few days 
after. 

x On 



l54 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

On the lift of republican generals who have dif- 
tinguifhed themfelves in this war, Kleber, Wefter- 
mann, and Hoche, are the moft remarkable. 
Thefe three men, of obfcure origin, owed their 
advancement more to their valour and their merit 
than to the circumftances which produced the revo- 
lution. Kleber, who had rifen from a common 
foldier to the rank of general, appeared for the firft 
time in the Vendee at the head of that brave army 
ofMentz, to which France was indebted for fo 
many victories and the reduction of the infurgents. 
His firft battles were fo many triumphs, and if 
thatofTorfou in fome degree checked his rapid 
progrefs, it did not tarnifh his laurels. The able 
retreat which Kleber made, purfued by more than 
forty thoufand Vendeans refolutely bent upon ' his 
ruin, through roads almoft impracticable, for more 
than five leagues, far from fullying his fame, would 
have been fufficient to eftablifh the reputation of 
any other general. The fervices which he rendered 
to the republic after the paffage of the Loire, are 
of fuch a nature as never to be forgotten. The 
victory of Savenay ftamped for ever the fame of 
that brave commander. Summoned to the banks 
of the Rhine, he there made a new difplay of his 
talents ; having laftly accompanied the greatefl 
general of the age to Egypt, to gather frefh. laurels, 

he 



WAR IN THE VENDUE. l55 

he was arretted in the career of triumph by the hand 
of an affaflin, and left on the fhores of the Nile 
a name refpe&ed as much by the vanquifhed, as it 
was dear to the conquerors. 

I have in another place given an account of' 
Weftermann ; that intrepid general, little verfed 
perhaps in the military art, but excelling in coups- 
de-mains, did fingly more mifchiefs to the infurgents 
than a whole army. The diverfion that he made at 
the time of the fiege of Nantes, by delivering that 
city, encouraged the difheartened republicans, and 
fhewed them how the Vendee might be fubdued. 
If he was afterwards defeated before Chatillorf it was 
becaufe prudence feldom accompanies too daring a 
courage, and becaufe thinking too contemptibly of 
the enemy before him, he flattered himfelf that 
with his fmall army, he was in a fituation to coun- 
terbalance the whole force of his enemies* 

That check he nobly repaired, when after'the 
fecond battle of Chatillon, he even dared, with a 
handful of men, to undertake the conqueft of that 
very city, before which a fuccefsful army had juft 
been making vain attempts. The fuccefs of an ex- 
pedition which appeared rafli at beft, raifed his 

reputation 



156T . VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

reputation to the higheft pitch and ftruck a 
mortal blow into the Vendee: 



The Hames of Chatillon lighted on the repub- 
lican armies, their courage revived, and Chollet 
Very foon witnefled the total ruin of the infurgents* 
Reflored to his army, fometime after the paffage 
of the Loire, he purfued the fugitives who had 
"again become formidable by repeated victories, and 
although defeated himfelf in feveral fkirmifhes,- he 
at length totally crufhed them by the battle of 
Mans. That celebrated battle was the laft of his 
exploits, and the laft ftep which led him to the 
grave. Ordered to Paris by a Nero jealous of his 
fame, this new Corbulon arretted, put in prifon, 
under pretence of a chimerical confpiracy, foon 
expiated upon a fcaffold the crime of having fuc- 
cefsfully ferved his country ; a crime which the 
tyrants of all ages never have learned to forgive. 

Hoche was already celebrated for his victories on 
the Rhine and the Mofelle. When he appeared 
in the Vendee, the conteft was drawing to a clofe ; 
nor had he to reap any of thofe brillant triumphs 
which dazzle the eyes of the vulgar and commonly 
flatter the felf-love of generals y but his glory was 
not lefs fubftantial in the eye of the calm obferver, 

and 



WAR IN" THE VENDEE. lS^f 

and his prudence gained him more eulogiums, than 
his courage could have done. His wife and well regu- 
lated conduct, under very delicate circumflances, 
juftly procured him the title of the pacificator of 
the Vendee, and will for ever ferve as a model to 
military chiefs in the fame difficult circumflances. 
Severe with the feditious, mild and humane to the 
peaceable peafant, he enjoyed the efleem of all the 
Vendeans, to whom he was at the fame time the ■ 
reflorer of religion and peace. In fhort that cele- 
brated general feemed only to have been fent into 
the Vendee, to demonflrate that it is often eafier to 
conquer than to take the proper advantage of vic- 
tory, and that if force can triumph over an enemy, 
moderation only can difarm him. 

The Vendean chiefs, on the other hand, ex- 
hibit characters no lefs aftonifhing. With fol- 
diers half armed, inexperienced, and almofl 
undifciplined, without any other ammunition or 
artillery than what they could take from the enemy, 
without military adminiflrations, without any other 
money than what they procured from their own 
revenues, without any kind of credit, without any 
of thofe refources which are at this day indifpen- 
fably neceffary to carry on war, they did not 
hefitate to take the lead in an infurre&ion, which 

obliged 



l58 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

obliged them to combat againft the moft pow- 
erful nation in the world. That war was doubtlefs 
odious in its origin, and difadvantageous in its 
effects ; it only tended to convert the Vendee 
into a heap of ruins and afties. But let us fup- 
pofe for a moment that their efforts had been 
aimed againft our foreign enemies, with what 
glory would they not have been covered by fuch 
a noble defence ! Let us then deplore the infa- 
tuation of the Vendean chiefs, let us blame their 
fatal obftinacy ; but let us do juftice to their 
talents, and examine with the difcernment of an 
impartial hiftorian what were their abilities and 
their military defects. 

Bonchamps, D'Elbee, and Domagne, in addi- 
tion to their diftinguifhed valour, pofTefTed talents 
which they difplayed but too often to the injury 
df the republic. There were, however, degrees in 
their abilities eafy to be difcriminated : D'Elbee 
excelled in forming a plan of attack, Domagne 
in a coup de main, and Bonchamps, fuperior to 
the two former in the military art, was the moft 
dexterous in repairing a defeat*. Charrette, who, 

of 

* If I may venture to give credit to the teftimony of fe- 
veral Vendean chiefs, Bonchamps pofTefTed more military talents 

than 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 109 

of all the Vendean chiefs, gave the moft employ- 
ment to the republican forces, pofferTed in a 
fuperior degree to the three others, that kind 
of prudence which is very feldom found in the 
head of a party. By fkilful management, he al- 
ways contrived to repair his defeats, and even to 
reap advantage from them. After the paflage of 
the Loire, furrounded by republicans armies, he 
fucceeded in keeping his footing in the country, 
and ruined the republican divifions without com- 
ing to decifive engagements. Taking advantage 
of the mifunderftandings of his adverfaries, one 
day he threatened fome particular diflrict, and 
the next day fell upon another; at one time he 
drew the enemy into the open country, as if he 
defigned to give them battle, and in the night 
he fell upon their rear, cut off a convoy that 
was their only refource, and thereby obliged them 
to fall back upon the frontiers. Beloved by 
the foldiers and feared by his officers, no, gene- 
ral had more abfolute authority, or was better 
obeyed. A groundlefs jealoufy of the chiefs of the 

any of his colleagues ! wounded in feveral battles, he appeared 
but feldom at the head of armies; it was that which loft 
him part of his reputation. I fhall not undertake to decide 
upon his character : I leave that to fuch military men as knew 
him. 

Upper 



l6o VIEW OF THE CIVII.* 

Upper Vendee, the maffacre at Machecoul,, and 
fome other actions of that nature tarnifhed the 
fplendor of his military virtues. 

Lefcures and Laroche-Jaquelin, rivals and 
friends in the career of the military profeffion, 
formed a fplendid union of daring courage and 
fuperior talents, although no . two men were ever 
of more different characters or more oppofite 
tempers. Lefcures 1 , from the weaknefs and ap- 
parent effeminacy of his form, feemed little 
fitted for warlike exploits. Laroche-Jaquelin with 
a ftrong constitution, expreflive looks, and a 
warlike countenance, feemed born for fighting. 
The former mild, polite, of an affectionate and 
tender difpofition, feemed defigned by nature to 
confttute the happinefs of his worthy and ref- 
pectable wife, and increafe the charms of do- 
meftic and focial attachment. Laroche-Jaquelin, 
on the contrary, with his martial air, his fharp 
and laconic way of fpeaking, feemed intended by 
his very nature to live in the buflle of a camp : 
this difference between thefe two warriors was' 
even vifible in the heat of battle. In an en- 
gagement where they equally hazarded their lives, 
it would have been difficult to decide which of 
t;he two bore away the palm of valour ; but by 

the 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. lGl 

the calm, ferene, and fometimes fmiling coun- 
tenance of Lefcures, it was eafy to perceive that 
he only fought to animate his foldiers ; whilfl 
from the fierce looks of JLaroche-Jaquelin, and his 
animated motions, you might diftinguifh the 
warrior carried away by his impetuofity. Like 
Mornai, the philofopher, Lefcures, in the heat of 
battle, never flained his fword with the blood of 
his enemies ; humane from natural difpofition, and 
generous in his actions, the difarmed enemy 
found in him a brother and protector. 

Laroche-Jaquelin devoured, as it were, the enemy 
with his looks as he fell beneath his fword ; he 
was alfo deficient in that moderation which can 
forgive thofe whom it has vanquifhed. Lefcures, 
more flow in determination, and more prudent in 
counfel, combined all the poflible chances of for- 
tune to arrange an army and enfure it fuccefs. La- 
roche-Jaquelin, in the beginning of an engage- 
ment, rufhing with impetuofity into the enemy's 
ranks, feemed to carry victory by furprife : the 
prudence of the former infpired the Vendeans with 
more confidence in the moment of attack : the 
rafhnefs of the latter was more calculated to re- 
animate their courage at the critical moment of 
clofe quarters. The prefence of both rendered 
y their 



l62 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

their followers in fome meafure invincible : it has 
alfo been particularly remarked, that they were 
hardly ever conquered except when feparated ; and 
that nothing might be wanting to the difference 
of character in thefe two warriors, one after having 
feen the ruin of his party, received the mortal 
blow while endeavouring by his exertions to recal 
victory ; the other, in rafhly purfuing a wretched 
fugitive, ruined to certain death, and fell at a 
moment in which his lofs inevitably haflened the 
deftruction of his friends. Such was the fate of 
thefe two great commanders, to whom nothing 
was wanting to acquire immortal fame, but to 
have fought againft the enemies of their country*. 

* Befides the chiefs of the two parties whom I have juft 
named, there are many others will certainly not be over- 
looked by hiftorians in the lift of celebrated men who have 
diftinguimed themfelves in this fatal epocha. Without men- 
tioning thofe who are ftill alive, I cannot help .regretting 
that this fliort view has not admitted of my giving anecdotes 
of Beyfler, the Beaupuys, the Marceaus, and alfo of the 
Marignys, the Beauvoilliers, the Rouarans, &c. who fought 
on the oppofite fide. 



CHAPTER 



%3 r AR IN THE VENDEE. l63 



CHAPTER IX. 



STATE OF COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE IN THE 
VENDEE, SINCE THE WAR. 

1 have juft executed a painful talk, in giving 
an hiftorical fketch of fuch bloody cataftrophes ; 
nor is it Without reluctance, that I have entered 
on the defcription of fo many (hocking occurrences. 
It is with the greatefl pleafure, therefore, I now 
withdraw my attention from objects fo difhrefling 
towards others of an infinitely more agreeable nature, 
thofe of agriculture and commerce. I mall ex- 
amine the progreffive fteps which led to their 
decline in the Vendee, from what caufes they 
fell into ruin, and by what means they have been 
recently reftored.- 

The campaign of 1792 greatly injured the 

commerce of the Vendee ; but as thefe troubles 

broke out late, the ftate of agriculture was but 

y 2 little 



'l64 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

little affected. The exportations of that year may 
be valued at a quarter of the ufual amount, and 
the Importations at one half. From this calcu- 
lation it follows that the Vendee was beginning 
to lofe confiderably by its commerce. 

In 1793, the evil made further progrefs ; lefs 
feed was fown than in the preceding year ; 
the number of perfons employed in the war, and 
confequently taken from agriculture, muft necef- 
farily have occafioned it considerable injury. 
That year's harveft was reduced alfo to a quarter of 
the ufual crops. There was hardly any expor- 
tation from the Vendee and importations became 
indifpenfably neceffary, although they could hardly 
be valued at more than a third of the ufual 
confumption ; money became alfo extremely fcarce, 
fince much was paid, and little or nothing re- 
ceived. 

The campaign of 1794, or of the fecond year,, 
gave the mortal blow to thefe ill fated provinces. 
When we recollect that the Vendeans had in pare 
pafTed the Loire, and that the remainder, purfued 
by republican detachments, and fcattered as it 
were throughout the country, were compelled to 

hide 



WAR IN THE VENDUE l65 

hide themfelves in the woods to fave their lives ; 
if we confider that the infernal columns had fet 
fire to all the villages and cottages, mafTacred 
part of the peafants, burned in their barns or lofts 
the corn and fodder, killed or devoured more 
than eleven hundred thoufand oxen, and an innu- 
merable quantity of ewes and fheep, carried off 
or deftroyed all the horfes and mules in the 
country, confumed by fire all the wool, linen, 
hemp, and every kind of moveable, it may eafily 
be conceived that the Vendee muft have been 
totally ruined*. Agriculture and commerce were 
annihilated at the fame time, and if that dreadful 
flate of things had continued a few years, I make 
no doubt but the Vendeans would have been 
reduced to the fituation of American favages, and 

* Vide Note, page 160. 

" Pillage was caarried to its higheft pitch ; the military, in- 
ftead of minding their bufinefs, only thought of filling their 
knapfacks, and endeavouring to perpetuate a war fo very ufeful 
to their interefts ; many common foldiers acquired fifty thoufand 
livres and more : fome were feen covered with jewels,' and 
launching into every fpecies of the mofl fliameful prodigality. 
The habit of pillage extended the bad effects of that blameable 
difpofition even to the very patriots themfelves, and their pro- 
perty has in a thoufand inftances become the prey of the very 

men fent to defend them." Lequinio, page 13. 

live 



3 66 VIEW OF THE CIV1I* 

live like them upon the produce of their plunder 
among the neighbouring people. 

Peace at length reflored tranquillity to the unfor- 
tunate Vendee \ the third year afforded happier day&. 
On the happy news of peace the peafant iffued from the 
woods which had ferved him for fhelter, and fought, 
beneath the allies which covered the fcite of his former 
habitation, for the agricultural inftruments which he 
had there concealed; but in vain did he attempt to 
refume his rural labours. Without fhelter from 
the feverity of the weather, without cattle to 
aflift him in his labour, without money to pur- 
chafe feed and bread till the next harveft, he 
faw on every fide nothing but famine, defpair, 
and death. 

Agriculture was annihilated without refource r 
if the proprietors had not afforded amftance to 
their tenants. Although exhaufted by a difaftrous 
war, they made frefh efforts, fold the mofh va- 
luable effects which they had been able to pre- 
ferve, and even difpofed of a part of their pro- 
perty, or borrowed at an extravagant intereft, to 
rebuild their farms, flock them with frefh cattle, 
and fupport their unfortunate labourers. The lofs 
which the proprietor sfuffered was fo much the more 

confiderabk 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 167 

confiderable, as by facrificing a part of their 
property to preferve the reft, they found themfelves 
not only obliged to forgive the tenants the rents 
of former years of which they had not received 
a farthing, but alfo to ftipulate in the frefh 
leafes which they granted, that the farmers fhould 
for fome years pay nothing. So many facrinces 
and lofTes impoveriftied them to fuch a degree, 
that the greateft part of them were reduced during 
feveral years to fubfift upon the moft humiliating- 
charity. From what I have ftated, it muft eafily 
be conceived, that in the third year there was no 
kind of commerce in the Vendee, and that 
confequently the importations and exportation^ 
were abfolutely null. 

During the fourth year the unfortunate fituation 
of the Vendee was far from amelioriated. Whether 
it was that the peafants could not work the ground 
properly, or' that the, year was naturally barren, 
the little corn which they had fown did not fucceed, 
and the hufbandman hardly reaped the feed which 
he had thrown into the ground. Compelled to buy 
for his own confumption, he fold one half of the 
live flock which he had bought and the hay in- 
tended for the feed of his plough oxen, and went 
to his neighbours to purchafe that wheat at a high 

price, 



1 68 



VIEW OF THE CIVIL 



price, which nature feemed to have refufed him- 
From what I have faid, the reader muft be con- 
vinced, that fuch a barren year gave the laft deadly- 
blow to the trade and agriculture of the Vendee. 
I will venture to affert, that at that period fifteen 
thoufand livres in fpecie could not have been found 
throughout the whole country, and the richeft far- 
mers in it were reduced to beggary. Nothing could 
prefent a more affe&ing fight, than to fee thefe 
venerable hufbandmen going by night to the houfes 
of the proprietors to folicit, with tears, affiftance for 
their ftarving families : whilft others, lefs afhamed, 
went from door to door among thofe who were once 
rich, publicly begging the morfel of bread which 
was not always granted them -, fo general was the 
diftrefs ! There is reafon to believe that the 
greater!: part of the peafants would have quitted the 
country, to go in fearch of a more productive and 
lefs injured foil, if the profpect of a mod plentiful 
harvefl, promifing an end to their calamities, had 
not given them courage to bear up againft them. 
The fo much wifhed for harvefl of the fifth year 
at length mitigated the unfortunate fituation of the 
Vendeans a little ; but it could not make good 
the loffes of the preceding year. The farmer had 
been obliged from diflrefs to let two thirds of his 
land lay fallow ; he had no more cattle to fell : 

thus 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. lfo) 

thus all the affiftance he received, was merely fuffi- 
cient to keep him from ftarving, and to raife his 
hopes for the enfuing year. 

Hay was almoft the only article of exportation, 
and therefore very little fpecie flowed into the 
country. The harvefts of the fixth and feventh 
years were tolerably plentiful ; but from the 
troubles in Normandy, the price of cattle kept very 
low.* 

Thefe prices advanced in the two fubfequent 
years eight and nine ; and if they continue to 
keep up for fome years more, the Vendee may 
hope to regain a part of its ancient fplendour. 
This country is ftill very far from repairing its 
lofTes; it begins indeed to rife from its ruins; 
but to render it flourifhing, much more effectual 

* There is no province in France whofe profperity is more 
connected with that of the Vendee, than Normandy; thefe 
two countries fupply each other ; the difafters of the one always 
affect the other : Normandy, which rears but few cattle, takes lean 
cattle from Poitou, to fatten and fupply the capital ; and on the 
other hand, the trade of Poitou would languifh, the moment the 
Normans ceafed to frequent their fairs. The war of the Vendee, 
therefore, was as injurious to the Normans, as that of the 
Chouans for the Vendeans. 

& affiftance 



170 VIEW OF THE CIVm 

affiftance muft be given it, than what it has hitherto 
received. Before we conclude this chapter, I ought 
to mention the efforts which Government has unre- 
mittingly made to repair the difafters of civil war ; 
and although they have hitherto been almoft unfuc- 
cefsful, they do no lefs honour to its benevolent 
views. 

From the moment the troubles were at an end, 
the humane pacificators perceived that it was impof- 
fible to raile the Vendee without powerful and effec- 
tual means. Every thing which had been taken 
from it it was neceffary to replace. But the public 
treafury was exhaufted and could furnifh but feeble 
refources. The firft object which {truck them was 
the abfolute want of working tools, agricultural 
inftruments, and iron ; thefe were purchafed at a 
high rate in the neighbouring departments, and 
diflributed among the Vendeans ; but in this dif- 
tribution, a capital error was committed, which 
rendered the afliftance almoft ufelefs : the commif- 
faries, inftead of taking the care of it upon them- 
felves, and delivering them immediately to thofe 
for whom they were defigned, transferred thefe 
fecondary concerns to the adminiftrations, and 
thereby totally failed in their object. In order to 

obtain 



WAR m THE VENDEE* IJt 

obtain thefe aids, it was Decenary to make ufe of 
forms with which the peafants were unacquainted. 

The admini fixators unwilling to run any rifks 
themfelves, were obliged to follow the regulations 
in the delivery; and Stofflet having again taken 
arms, they were afraid, or at leaft pretended to be 
afraid, that thofe iron inftruments might be fa- 
bricated into weapons, and turned againft the Rg- 
public. Although the laft infurrection had been 
entirely quelled, they fold all the utenfils, ploughing 
inftruments, and iron which had been long in ftore 
for the ufe of the Republic : fo that fcarcely the 
tenth part of thefe articles reached their deflination- 

The fecond favor which the Vendee received 
from Government was the remiffion of the greateft 
part of its immediate contributions. This act 
of juftice and humanity cannot be too much com- 
mended, and ought to excite the gratitude of the 
Vendeans ; .but I will maintain that the ableft 
financier would not have procured the tenth part 
of its contributions from fuch a ruined country : 
this remiffion, therefore, had become indifpenfably 
neceiTary ; and if commerce does not reftore to 
the Vendee frefh vigour, it will for many years 
be difficult for it to profper without that affiftance. 
z 2 All 



i*j'& VIEW OF TttEl CIVl£ 

All the partial means which have hitherto beef! 
tried, are Hill very far from having repaired its 
difafters. I will venture to affert, that even to 
this day there is not a more impoverifhed country. 
The, principal caufe of its diftrefs is without doubt 
the fcarcity of money ; a fcarcity owing, as I have 
already obferved, to the effects of civil war/ If to 
this leading caufe be added the entire ruin of com- 
merce, the want of the moft neceffary articles of 
importation, and the local expences and taxes 
which it was neceffary to pay,, we need not be 
furprifed at this abfolute fcarcity. 

This inconvenience is ftill fo flrongly felt irt 
the Vendee, that the tax gatherers, forced to levy 
by diftrains and executions, cannot collect the 
amount of their quotas, without employing & 
crowd of bailiffs' followers and tipftaffs, who* 
fcattered through the communes, feize and fell, 
multiplying the expences to fuch a degree, that 
if proper regulations are not adopted, they will 
very foon render of no effect all former remif- 
fions of the payment of taxes granted to the 
Vendee. I know, and the Vendean farmers know 
it as well as myfelf, that the neceffities of the 
public purfe are preffing, and that taxes are the 
nerves of the ftate : thefe unfortunate peafants have 

been 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 1^3 

been more than once obliged to drive to the fairs 
cattle, though enentially neceffary to agriculture, 
and to fell them at half the price they mighc 
receive two months after, in order to pay their 
taxes. At no time were they ever heard to com- 
plain of it, or murmur : in full confidence they 
patiently await the moment when the government 
(hall turn its attention towards them, and take 
pity on their unfortunate fituation. 

Such are the actual facts which I fubmit to 
its consideration, and whatever may have been 
infinuated to the contrary, I am not afraid that I 
(hall be taxed with exaggeration. 



SUPPLEMENT 



SUPPLEMENT 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



VENDUE. 



CHAPTER t 

LANGUAGE OF THE VENDEANS. 

1 HE Vendee, like every other department at a, 
diftance from the capital, has a dialed: peculiar 
to itfelf, and which would not be underflood 
at ten leagues from its own borders. It is in 
a great meafure compofed of corrupted Latin and 
French, of fome Englifh. and Celtic words, and 

of 



Ij6 VIEW GF THE CIVit 

of a few others, the derivations of which I have 
been unable to afcertain, but which I imagine to 
be of Scythian origin. Although the Vendeans 
are extremely attached to this jargon, the gene- 
rality of them underftand French, and feveral 
fpeak it purely enough; but the greater part of 
them refrain from expreffing themfelves in pure 
language, that they may avoid expofing themfelves 
to the raillery of their neighbours, who would 
not fail to joke them on their fpeaking noblat ; 
which is the expreffion they ufe in that country 
to fignify the French language. * One rule which 
appears to be generally adopted in this jargon, is 
•the changing and corrupting the* greater part of 
the verbs, efpecially the laft perfon of the prefent 
tenfe. Thus inftead of Us aiment, Us peuvent, Us font, 
the Vendeans fay i-z-aimant, i-peuziant, i-faifiant. 
The demonftrative pronouns, celle-ci, celle-la, are 
exprefled by quioqui and qualla. The Vendean, 
for qtfefl-ce quil y a ? fay, que quou iat ? the evening, 
with them is termed la refciee ; twelve hours, une 
rabbinie ; rabbiner, is alfo a verb, which fignifies 
to follow. They have a multiplicity of other verbs 
entirely unknown to the French language, fuch 
zsfemdcber inftead oi fe meter, epieter for fuffire, 
bobber for partir, &c. &c. The fecond of thefe 
verbs appears to me to be derived from the latin, 

word 



WAR IN THE VENDEE, 177 

word explere ; but I do not know from whence the 
others come. The particle on is entirely unknown 
to them. I may obferve on this fubjed that this par- 
ticle is feldomufed except in the French language; 
in every other they make ufe of the periphrafis : 
to exprefs on dit, they fay in Latin dicitur, in Italian, 
Ji dice, in Spanifh,y£ dize, il eft dit. The Englifh 
alfo regularly make ufe of the periphrafis, as Us 
difent, they fay. It appears that thefe laft have 
ferved as a model to the Vendeans. It is true they 
add the word autres which they pronounce outres ; 
the Vendean therefore expreffes the words on dit> 
thus : i diziant les outres. The fame periphrafis is 
every where ufed by them, where it is neceffary to 
fupply the particle on. They murder the greater 
part of our dipthongs in a very unpleafant way to 
the ear ; they pronounce honneur, onure ; chapeau, 
chapais\ hi, hue; and other words in the fame 
manner. They very often fubftitute the firft perfon 
lingular of a perfonal pronoun for that of the plural, 
and very often alfo the fubftantive for the adjective : 
for inftance, inftead of nous avons ete vitlorieux de 
nos ennemis, they fay f avons eu le vaincure fur noutre 
almi. They have alfo a multiplicity of fubflantives 
which are not only unknown in the French language, 
but which cannot be explained without a peri- 
phrafis. I fhall give one inftance 5 in order to 
a a exprefs 



I78 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

exprefs de quoi manger, they make ufe of the fub- 
ftantive commmtage or quoi-mentage ; thus they 
fay : favons ben prou de pain, mais je manquons de 
commentage. 

Another cuftom which they have, and which 
renders their converfation filly and difagreable, is 
the repetition at the end of every fentence of the 
pronoun moi, which they pronounce mais. To exprefs 
Je le veux, they fay, e-i-ou lou veu mais. I fhall 
conclude thefe obfervations on the Vendean lan- 
guage by a droll anecdote which was occafioned by 
the repetition of the word moi. 

Some years ago, a Vendean, being ill at the 
Hofpital of Douay, was endeavouring to explain 
to the matrons who fuperintend the houfe, that 
he wanted to take the air, and was always cal- 
ling out: i-i-ou veu prendre larrt mais (Parmee) ; 
thefe good women fuppofing he meant that he 
would go into the army, thought him delirious, 
and paid no attention to his cries. In the mean 
time the fick man was reftlefs in his bed, quite ouc 
of temper, and requefting day and night to take 
lane mais. The following day was market day : 
one of the nurfes , quite tired out with the continual 
cries of the fick man, went to enquire if there was 

noc 



WAR 1ST THE VENttfiff* %fjg 

not a native of Gatine in the town. She was lucky 
enough to find one whom fhe immediately took to 
the hofpital. As foon as the Vendean heard the cries 
of his countryman, he fhrugged up his moulders with 
compaffion, and obferved in his jargon that nothing 
could be plainer than the fick man's requeft. 
41 What does he want then ?" faid the nurfe. 
■ — Pargoi ! il vent prendre larre-li ( fair, lid ) . — 
After this reply, the Gatinean, thinking he had 
fufficiently explained himfelf, went away immediately 
to attend his bufinefs ; they ran after him and en- 
quired what larre-li fignified. Tired with fo many 
explanations, the angry Vendean ran to his country- 
man's bed-fide, took him on his moulders, put him 
down into the middle of the court, and went away 
muttering, that there was nothing fo queer as thofe 
drolls of town nurfes who pretend to be deaf becaufe 
they won't hear. 



a a % CHAPTER 



1§0 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 



CHAPTER IL 



OF THEIR PRIVATE QUALITIES, 

1 HE Vendeans in general are good fathers* 
good fons, and good hufbands. Adultery and the 
greater part of the fhameful vices are unknown 
among them. The civil war, however, has Angu- 
larly altered their morals. The old foldiers, ac- 
cuftomed to live in licentioufnefs, upon their return 
home retained part of their bad habits ; and 
had it not been for the care and zeal of the 
minifters of the catholic perfuafion, there was 
reafon to fear that they would have corrupted the 
national character. It is therefore from refpect for 
the religion of his ^forefathers, that "the Vendean is 
indebted for his ftill remaining virtuous. His 
worft habit, is drinking ; and hitherto no exhor- 
tation or other means, have fucceeded in correcting 
that fatal propenfity : the public houfe, therefore 

now 



"WAR IN THE VENDUE, i8l 

now is, and is likely to be for fome time, the 
only fource of the few difputes and domeftic 
quarrels which take place in the Vendee. 

In the courfe of this work I have had occafion 
to fpeak of their honefty, their loyalty, and their 
other virtues. I mall only add, that they have a 
decided averfion to law fuits : the few mifunder- 
flandings they have are eafily fettled by arbitrators ; 
they feldom have recourfe to attornies ; and when 
they are compelled to it, it is with the greater re- 
pugnance, as they have a maxim among them, 
that none of their faints were ever lawyers. 

Their religious aflemblies prefent to the ob- 
ferver the moft edifying fpectacle imaginable; 
and I am perfuaded, that throughout all France, 
the catholic church has not more zealous adherents 
or believers attached to its doctrine. 

The Vendean is very hofpitable ; if chance or 
bad weather lead a traveller to his cottage ; he 
will chearfully fet before him the little refrefhments 
he may have in the houfe, and will confider it as an 
affront if he offers to pay for them. In general 
they have an affected fimplicity, which the traveller 
mu ft be aware of taking for real; ftrangers will take 

a Vendean 



l82 VIEW OF THE CIV II* 

a Vendean for a filly fellow, while at the fame time 
he is amufing himfelf with them: they term this 
kind of joke la gouaille : they are very much given 
to it, and evengouaiilent upon the graveil occafions. 
This pretended fimplicky often gives rife to witty 
and original fallies. The reader will allow me to 
give him one of thefe anecdotes. 

A Vendean having killed a hare, determined to 
carry it to his mailer who lived in the neigh- 
bouring town ; but before he went to the intended 
place, he called at a fhoemakers with whom he 
had fome bufinefs. The latter wifhing to fpeak 
with him in private, afked him to go into his back- 
fhop ; the Vendean confented, laid his bag down, 
and followed him. In the mean time the fhoe- 
maker's boys opened the bag and took out the 
hare, putting in its # place a cur-dog which had 
died over night. The Gatinean returned and 
without difcovering the trick which had been played 
him, throws his bag over his moulder and haflens 
to his mailer, whom he found at table with fome 
friends. After the firft compliments were over, 
he acquainted him with his fuccefs in hunting, 
and of the nature of the prefent he had come to 
make him. While the mailer was loading him 
with thanks, the countryman, with a gay and fmiling 

countenance^ 



"WAR IN THE VENDEE. l85 

countenance, untied his bag, and holding the 
fuppofed hare by the ears, exhibited his head to 
the company. The roar of laughter that fol- 
lowed may - be eafily imagined : " How is this, 
Thomas," faid the mafter, " is that the prefent 
you have to make me" ? The diiconfolate country- 
man anfwered not a word ; at laft turning the 
cur's head about, and examining it in all directions 
very carefully, " Parguenne" exclaimed he, fas 
biau faire ta mine de chin, tu rfen es pas rnoins un 
lievre da*. 



* Ay ay, thou may'ft make thy dog's face if thou wilt, 
thou arn't lefs a hare for all that. 



CHAPTER 



l84 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 



CHAPTER III. 



OF THEIR DIVERSIONS. 

X HE amufements of the Vendeans are as fimple 
as their manner of living. On Sundays and faint's 
days, after fervice, they play at bowls on the 
road fides, a game at which they excel : not 
far off, in a bum, they place a few bottles of 
wine, as the prize of victory, which the lofers 
are obliged to pay. 

The feldom eat at each other's houfes ; that only 
happens when they kill their hogs : they then give 
feafts to their neighbours, termed les rilles. The 
following is the ceremony which they obferve ? in 
the morning they play at bowls ; then dance after 
dinner •> at night they fit down to table, but it 

is 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. l85 

is at fupper that the Vendean gaiety exhibits itfelf 
amidft flowing cans and pitchers. A: the clofe of 
the meal, an orator, fomewhat tipfy, gets upon 
a table, calls for filence, and in a truly comic 
ftile delivers fome fpeech or droll fermon that 
he had learned when young, and which the 
company often interrupts with roars of laughter. 

I once attended one of thefe feafts out 
of curiofity : the orator took for his text* 
*' Bonum vinum Icetificat cor hominis". Good 
wine maketh glad the heart of man. In the 
firft place he endeavoured to fhew all the ad- 
vantages that we derive from wine ; in the 
fecond, he enlarged upon all the vices and 
evils of which it is the fource : the conclufion 
was a bumper which all the company was 
obliged to drink. A fecond fpeaker fucceeded 
the firft, and took for his text, " Omnis homo 
mortalis" Every man is mortal. One Michael 
Morin, a fexton by profemon, was the hero of 
this difcourfe ; he was wittily compared . to the 
greatefl potentates of antiquity, and it was demon T 
ftrated that Michael Moran furpaffed all heroes 
both ancient and modern. It appeared to me 
that the moral of it was, that we ought to 
fufpect the reputation of pretended heroes 3 that 
B b men 



*l86 ITIEW OF THE CIVIL 

men are efientially the fame, and that a con* 
queror who does injury to his fellow creatures 
is inferior to the fexton who does his duty. 
Thefe fpeeches upon the whole did not appear 
to want wit, though disfigured by the Vendean 
jargon; I am ignorant what new Rabelais is the 
author. 

The Vendeans have another game, which T 
believe is peculiar to themfelves, and is of 
very old date, although very little pra&ifed at 
this day, on account of the quarrels it fometimes 
gives rife to ; I faw an inftance of it fome 
years ago; the following is the nature of it. 
Two parifties or neighbouring communes challenge 
each other to a trial of their refpe&ive ftrength : 
they commonly bet a hogfhead of wine, which 
is paid for by the vanquifhed, and drank at 
the termination of the combat by both parties. 

On the day fixed by the challengers, the two 
communes repair to a meadow, or a very ex- 
tenfive field : they chufe on both fides an equal 
number of ftrong men ; they draw a line of 
demarcation, and then extend a great cable, which 
each champion on both fides lays • hold of with 

both 



WAK Iff THE VENDEE. 1 \8<f 

both his hands, and draws with all his might 
towards his own fide. That party which pulls 
the other over the line, gains the victory. They 
then make a common repaft, at which the wine 
flows very copiouily. The vanquifhed then file 
off to their reipe&ive villages, leaving their ad- 
verfaries mafler of the field, who finifh the day 
by dancing arm in arm, and ridiculing without 
mercy the conquered in their fongs. 



Bba CHAPTER 



l88 VIEW OF THE CIVII* 



CHAPTER IV. 



STATE OF THE ARTS AND SCIENCES IN THE: 
VENDEE. 



X HERE is no department in France where 
public inftrudtion and the liberal arts are more 
neglected than in the Vendee. In fuch an ex- 
tenfive country there is not a fingle college* 
drawing, dancing, or mufic matter ; fchoolm afters 
are even very fcarce there, and the greateft part 
of them can only read printed books, and not 
writing. Let it not be fuppofed, that the civil 
war is the caufe of th s ftate of ignorance ; before 
that fatal period, knowledge was equally rare in 
that country. 

A man, therefore, who can read and write to- 
lerably well, pafles for a learned man in the opi- 
nion 



"WAR IN THE VENDEE. 189 

nion of a Vendean peafant ; and in more than 
one Commune, they have often been at a lofs, 
to chufe a mayor and his affiltant, becaule they 
could not find two men who could write their 
own names. This ftate of ignorance arifes without 
doubt, from there never having been a town in 
all that country worthy of being fo called. The 
Vendee, properly fpeaking, is only a collection of 
villages, without any common center ; and in this 
view, it may be compared to a vail body having 
many arteries without a heart. 

After what I have juft ftated, it is not furpriling 
that the Vendeans labour under the groffefl igno- 
rance. This apathy is fo much the more to be re- 
gretted, as the greater part of the inhabitants have 
the happieft turn for particular arts, and even for the 
abftract fciences. 

I have known feveral whofe natural talents 
were aftonifhing. In a village near BrefTuire, there 
lives a common weaver who, without any mafler, 
has learned to read and write well, and acquired 
the four common rules in arithmetic, Fractions, 
and the Rule of Three. Befides this, he underflands 
every thing relating to eccleilaftical computation, 

the 



*Q0 VIEW OF THE CIVIL' 

the Solar Cycle, the Roman Indi&ion, the Gol- 
den Number, &c. ; he has even compofed & 
work upon that fubject, which though badly- 
written appeared to me very exact. Another 
countryman of the fame diftricT:, a cartwright by 
profeflion, has made a clock extremely complicated, 
which I have at this moment in my poneffion. 
This piece of machinery has aftonilried all the pro- 
feffional men who have feen it ; although the wheels 
are very ciumfy, it went extremely well during the 
inventor's life, as he came from time to time to 
regulate and to keep it in order. I muft alfo 
confefs that fince his death no watchmaker has been 
able to regulate it ; the ufual fate of this fort of 
work. This machine indicated the hours, the 
minutes, the day of the month, and the quarter 
of the moon : it ferved alfo as a village clock, 
by the means of a brafs wire fixed to a ham- 
mer fufpended over a bell at the top of the 
houfe. 

In the fame proportion that the Vendeans are" 
qualified for the abftracl: fciences, I confider 
them incapable of literature and the fine arts ; 
the mechanical even are very much neglected. 
There is hardly any thing feen in the Vendee, 

but 



WAR IN THE VENDUE, IQt 

but weavers, carpenters, mafons, cartwrights, and 
carpenters : they have recourfe, for the other 
profe (lions to the neighbouring towns. With 
refpect to the fine arts, they are entirely unknown, 
or rather, they have no tafte whatever for them. 
Place one of Raphael's finefl paintings before them, 
with a clumfy daub of fome alehoufe painter, and 
they would not know the difference ; that which 
has the mod glaring colours would be the piece 
they would prefer. Haydn's or Mozart's beft 
airs, would appear infipid to them, compared 
to their monotonous tunes ; and the jumping of 
a Merry Andrew, would divert them much more 
than the finefl dance of the opera. With refpect 
to their poetry, I know only of a few fongs, in 
which there is neither wit, rhyme nor reafon,. 
and which one would fuppofe had been com- 
pofed in the time of William Tete-d'Etoupes, or 
of Foulq ues-le-Rechin. 

During the war, the Vendeans animated each 
other to battle, by military fongs, which were 
like thofe that I have juft mentioned ; but 
their chiefs and officers had others very well 
compofed, and written by much more able 
hands. 

A fmall 



10,2 VIEW OP THE CIVIL 

A fmall number of literary characters may ? 
however, be found in the Vendee, whom the 
revolutionary troubles brought back to their 
native places. Thefe men, diftinguifhed by their 
talents and learning, preferring ftudy and retire- 
ment to the vain purfuits of dangerous ambi- 
tion, difdain to make themfelves known, and 
devote the time which they can fpare from 
fludy to the happinefs and inftructioh of their 
fellow citizens. 



CHAPTER 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. ig3 



CHAPTER V. 



DRESS OF THE VENDEANS. 

JL HE Vendean drefs is very fimple. The men 
wear a round hat with (hallow crown and broad 
brim : their hair is cut and curled like the 
priefls. They wear a coat of a greyifh blue co- 
loured woolen fluff in the Upper Vendee, and 
of brown in other places, under which, they have 
a white waiftcoat of thick woolen cotton, kept 
clofe to the body by a girdle ; add to this drefs, 
a large pair of flriped breeches, and a pair of 
clumfy fhoes, fhod with iron, and you will have a 
complete idea of the Sunday drefs of a Vendean. 
The women's head drefs, is an ell of ribband, 
twifled in a grotefque manner about their heads ; 
they wear a jacket of blue fluff, which covers an 
enormous pair of flays that reach up to their 
moulders, and which is fo fortified with whale- 
C c bone 



ig4 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

bone, that in cafe of neceflity, it would blunt the 
edge of a fabre ; two woolen petticoats, a pair 
of blue flockings, wooden fhoes, and a great black 
cloak, loaded with ribbons of the fame colour, 
and tied before with filver clafps, complete this 
drefs, than which nothing, as may eafily be con- 
ceived, can be lefs favourable to beauty. Indeed 
the Vendee is very far from being remarkable 
for fine women; fifty ugly may be found for 
one that is tolerable -, but they make up for this 
defect by fo many good qualities, that they have 
no reafori to complain of Providence for their ill 
favourednefs. 



CHAPTER 



WAR IN THE VENDEE*, 'igS^ 



CHAPTER VL 



THEIR WEDDINGS. 

ALTHOUGH love appears under rather coarfe 
forms in the Vendee, modefty neverthelefs pre- 
ferves its empire. In general the Vendean mar- 
ried women go virgins to the nuptial bed, and 
there feldom is an inftance, as in moft of our 
towns, of a girl claiming at the altar the title 
of wife, which fhe has previoufly difhonoured by 
the fruits of premature love, It is chiefly at 
their balls, known by the name of aflemblies, 
that the attachments between the Vendean youth 
of both fexes are formed. Thefe kind of balls 
are given on Sundays in the open air $ in the 
morning they treat their fervants ; the evening is 
entirely devoted to dancing and pleafure. The 
mode of making love in that country is fomething 

of 



19$ VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

of the cat kind. The mod common piece of 
gallantry is to pinch the girts, untie their aprons* 
twift their arms, tumble them, and fometimes 
ileal a hearty kifs. The girls, on their fide, anfwer 
thefe marks of kindnefs by flaps and fifty-cuffs, 
which the gallants confider as fo many favours* 
When the parents have confented and the pro- 
mife is given, they invite to the wedding all the 
brothers, uncles, and coufins on both fides, and 
they are on thefe occafions fo numeroufly attended* 
that more than a hundred guefts are fometimes 
reckoned at a wedding. On the day appointed 
for the ceremony, the bride is drefTed by young 
maidens, who put on her a head drefs with very 
long lappets hanging down to her moulders. Over 
this head drefs is fixed a garland of evergreens ; 
they then put round her a fafh of ribbon, which 
in certain diftricts, the bridegroom alone is per- 
mitted to untie. The latter is generally drefTed 
in new clothes, and takes great pains in powdering 
his hair ; it is the only day in his life he can ven- 
ture to do it, without being laughed at. When 
every thing is ready for the ceremony, the procef- 
fion moves to the church. Two young girls carry 
before the bride, one a white thorn, ornamented 
with ribbons, fruits, and even fweet meats ; and the 
other, a diflafT with a fpindle. Her godfather 

carries 



WAR IN THE VENDUE. 1Q7 

carries to the church a cake which the prieft 
blefies, arid of which the bride afterwards docs 
the honour- at the defert. 

I fhall remark on this fubjed, that the greateft 
part of our beaux efprits who laugh at thefe ref- 
peclable cuftoms, are very far from being aware, 
that they are of very ancient date, and that in 
general, they have fome moral end in view. The 
Roman weddings were not unlike thofe of the 
Vendee. They alfo prefenred the new married 
couple with a cake of new wheaten bread, which 
was previouily blefled by the prieft, to fignify 
to them by this mutual and facred food, the 
unalterable union which ought to fubfiil between 
them. They alfo introduced at the ceremony 
the diftaff and fpindle, to intimate to the young 
wife, that (he ought to employ herfelf in the 
duties of her fex at home, and not run after 
vain amufements. The white thorn, in the midft 
of five torches, with which they attended her 
from her father's houfe, was the fymbol of the 
cares of marriage, which a pure and lively flame 
would alone difpel. This is the true moral ten- 
dency of thefe cuftoms, which are only turned 
into ridicule in thefe days, becaufe their meaning 

is 



ig8 view of the civiri 

is not underftood. I (hall further obferve, that 
the cake, of which I fpeak, was termed in Latin, 
conforreatio, and that fince the time of Scipio 
Naiica, they confined the ufe of it to the mar- 
riages of priefhs and pontiffs. 

When the ceremony is finifhed, they go from 
the church to the place where the wedding feaft 
is prepared, amidft the founds of fifes and violins, 
and efpecially of the fongs and fhouts- of the 
guefh ; fhouts, which bring to the recollection 
thofe of the Roman weddings: io hymen, O 
Hymen it \ 

The tables are generally ferved with more 
profufion than delicacy ; and the mirth of the 
guefts is fo noify, that it fometimes offends 
chafte ears. At the defert, the young girls 
gather round the bride, and fing focial verfes to 
her, prefenting her at the fame time, with a 
thorn. The meaning of this fong; is, that her 
happy days are pah 1 :,, that fhe may bid adieu to 
every pleafure, and prepare to encounter many 
forrows. It is ufual for the bride to cry during 
this ceremony, and indeed I muft confefs, that 
it is it not calculated to infpire cheerfulnefs. 

After 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 109 

After the fong of the thorn, the momons come 
forward -, this word I believe is derived from 



It is a kind of challenge that a young vil- 
lager gives to the bride, to gue r s what he. has 
concealed in a bafket. This bafket generally 
contains a turtle dove, or fome other tame bird, 
ornamented with ribbons, of which the momon makes 
a prefent to the bride : three livres was formerly 
paid for this prefent ; but they now merely invite 
the momon to the table, which invitation does not 
require being repeated. 

I fhould have obferved that it is the rule for 
the bridegroom only to fit down to table when 
the delert comes on : during dinner time, with a 
napkin under his arm, he is burled ' in waiting 
upon the guefts. I confider this cuftom as an 
ancient relic of French politenefs. After dinner, 
dancing begins, and continues till fupper time. 
During the defert, the bride's neareft relation 
flips under the table and takes off one of her 
garters and a fhoe : after many jokes, the garter 
is cut into bits and diftributed among the guefts,' 
and the (hoe is redeemed by a piece of money/ 
During this part of the ceremony, the bride'i 

eldet 



200 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

eldeft unmarried fitters fpin coarfe flax with a 
diflafF; and the bridegroom's brothers are obliged 
to make a faggot of brambles ; it appears by 
this cuflom, that the intention is to punilh them 
for having let their younger brother or filler 
get the flart of them, and for not having yet 
paid their debt to fociety. Towards three or 
four o'clock in the morning, the wedded pair 
privately withdraw from the company, and retire 
to fome diftant houfe. As foon as the guefts 
difcover it, they go in fearch of them, and always 
find them out. One of the parties give them 
an onion foup, and the others a plate of allies, 
but I am ignorant of the meaning of this cuflom. 
It is ufual for the pair to eat their foup, then 
to get up, and rejoin the company. It fome- 
times however happens, that the bride grows 
angry at this unfeafonable interruption, overfets 
the foup, and throws the allies by handfuls in 
the eyes of the intruders ; but this is very fel- 
dom the cafe, and gives a bad prognoltic of 
the wife's future temper in her domeftic conduct. 

The wedding lafts as long as there is any 
vine in the barrel confecrated to this feflival y 
le who drinks the laft glafs, ties a firing to 

the 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 20^ 

the faufet, and puts it on his hat ; this is the 
fignal for breaking up : every one departs, and 
the wedding is over, to the great fatisfadtion of 
the young married folks, who with heartfelt 
pleafure, fee their noily guefts reel off, after 
having undergone their round of pleafantry, and 
fometimes impertinence. 



d d CHAPTER 



202 TIEW OF THE ClVIfc 



CHAPTER VII. 



OF CONJURERS* 



1 HERE are very few provinces in France, 
where conjurers are more in fafhion than in the 
Vendee. There are men in this country who 
have no other profeflion ; they are known as 
fuch, fpoken to with great precaution, and great 
care is always taken never to turn the back to 
them ; if a conjurer's hand touches your moulder, 
you are fare to be bewitched. The only remedy, 
in fuch a cafe, is to return him fmartly the 
blow which he has given you, after which, there 
is nothing to fear. 

Rain, hail, thunder, and almoft every meteor, 
are under the controul of the conjurers ; pro- 
perly fpeaking, it is they who give rain and fine 

weather, 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 2o3 

weather. Their power extends ftill further : it 
is to them that recourfe is had when any pro- 
perty is loft ; it often happens, that this me- 
thod is fuccefsful, and this roguery brings the 
conjurer more into vogue than ever. 

Strange flories are told throughout the country 
of the conjurers, which no body doubts, and 
which are confidered as articles of faith. 

The difeafes of men and cattle are attributed 
to them. As foon as the Vendean perceives one of 
his family attacked with fome unknown illnefs, 
inftead of calling in the phyfician, he runs to 
the conjurer, and befeeches him to heal the fick 
perfon ; at the fame time, prefenting him with 
money to induce him to be favourable. If the 
fick perfon recovers, the credit of it is given to 
the conjurer; in the oppofite cafe, he panes for 
a very uncivil man ; they fay to him, with Chi- 
canneau to Petit- Jean in the Plaidcurs : 

He ! rendez done Pargent ; 
Le monde ell devenu, fans mentir, bien mechant. 

But for fome years back the conjurers have 
loft part of their reputation. The well informed 
men of the country have fo much ridiculed and 

provoked 



2o4 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

provoked the conjurers with impunity, that the 
peafants begin to doubt their power. 

■ 
The objection to their preternatural power, drawn 

from the circumftance of the lottery, appears to 
be that which has the moll weight. In fad, the 
peafants eafily conceive, that if a conjurer could 
guefs the numbers which were to come out on fuch 
a day, they would have made their fortunes long 
ago ; whereas the greater part of them, far from 
being rich, are in. a fituation very little fhort of 
wretchednefs. 



CHAPTER 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 52 o5 



CHAPTER VIII. 



KATURAL HISTORY. 



1 HE Vendee has no quadrupeds, birds, rep- 
tiles, or even plants which are peculiar to its 
climate. Its breed of mules, however, may be 
confidered as the bed in France; its fat oxen 
and fheep poffefs likewife a decided Superiority 
over thofe of the neighbouring departments. It 
is alfo very well known that the vipers of Lower 
Poitou, were formerly very much in requeft for 
the manufacture of Venice treacle ; fince the re- 
volution, that trade has entirely ceafed. The 
country abounds very much in game, efpecially 
in hares and red partridges ; thefe latter are con- 
sidered as the belt in France. As the Vendue 



20t> view of the civii, 

is, in a great meafure, covered with trees and wood, 
carnivorous animals and birds of prey are fo com- 
mon 'there, that they Jay wafte, and do confider- 
able damage to the farmers. 

Among the former are wolves and foxes ; f 
whatever rewards have been offered by govern- 
ment to the deflroyers of wolves, they multiply 
to fuch a pitch, that they are often feen in 
bodies of from fix to eight, attacking aad tearing 
to pieces whole herds of oxen. The only means 
that government can make ufe of to prevent the 
total ruin of agriculture is, to incite the Ven- 
deans to make a more active war againft them : 
the mayors might be authorifed for fome months, 
to call out a third of the inhabitants, and have 
a general hunt on the fame day. The abfentea 
who does not fend a fubftitute mould be fined. 
It is befides evident, that in adopting this mea- 
fure, a flop would be put to that fyftem of 
fearching for arms, and authorifing parties to 
carry them, which at this moment only tends 
to fow diflruft, awaken individual animofities, 
induce the peafant to conceal his gun, and which 
in the end does not procure the republic a fingle 
muiket. 

The 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 2 O J 

The moft common birds of prey are the 
hawk, the bittern, the buftard (milvus cerugi- 
nojus\ hobby, the bark-flayer, the owl, the fcreech. 
owl (hulula), the little owl, and the night owl 
{noftua). 

The trees which appear the moft congenial 
to the climate of the Vendee, are the oak, the 
elm, the am, the poplar (populus alba), the chef- 
nut tree, the wild pear, and the apple tree. 
Few countries polfefs fo many medicinal 
plants ; but excepting fome particular kinds, 
I confider them as very inferior to thofe in the 
. provinces of Niort and Thouars, which are opener 
and drier foils. 

The foil of the Vendee in general confifts 
of nothing but red and black fand, which, how- 
ever is not wanting in fertility : there are alfo 
fome tracts of clay land, and others of a fpungy 
quality, the tafte of which is bitter, and the 
colour black. There are no where any marly 
beds, nor of thofe whitifh lands which are the 
bafis of the Epfom and Sedlitz falts, which 
chymifts term magnefia. The firft foil which I 
have mentioned, is covered with a fpecies of 

ftony 



520 8 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

ftony heaps, which at a dlftance might be mif- 
taken for tombs ; thefe ftones are of a greyifh 
and mining colour, and are excellent for building. 

The country contains but few coal mines, 
and thofe of very little confequence* 



CHAPTER 



WAR IN THE VENDEE! » 20(j 



CHAPTER IX. 



PRINCIPAL MEANS OF THE RESTORATION OF THE 
VENDEE, 

1 HE following truths may be confidered as 
political axioms : 

I. Subfiflence is the fource of population. 

II. Subfiflence has two bafes : agriculture and 
trade. 

III. There muft be iuitable modes of dif* 
pofing of the produce of thefe two branches. 

IV. Without canals* without navigable rivers s 
and without high roads, there can be little or no 
commerce. 

e e V. The 



210 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

V. The increafe of commerce has always raifed 
the price of lands, and confequently given new 
life to agriculture. 

VI. Government ought always to expend its 
money, by way of aids in thofe places where 
the receipt is deficient or in arrears. 

VII. When it becomes neceffary to compel 
the payment of taxes, it is a fure fign that the 
taxes are too heavy, or that there are abuies in 
the collection. 

r 

VIII. There are no purfes from which we can 

be always taking, without putting fomething in 
again. 

IX. Uncultivated lands are fo many lofTes to 
the ftate. 

X. The fecondary agents of government, ought 
always to be placed in the centre of the country 
which they fuperintend. 

I requeft the reader to examine thefe political 
axioms, and to feel their force, as it is precifely 
upon thefe principles, that the fyftem which I am 

about 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 2 LI 

about to lay down is founded. If the bounds 
which I have prefcribed to myfelf, permitted me 
to enter into details, 1 might treat of thefe axioms 
feparately, and fupport them by a long train of 
reafoning ; but I confider this method as unnecef- 
fary for candid minds ; and with refpedk to thofe 
of an oppofite defcription, I allure them it is not 
for fuch that I write. I am furdier aware, that 
the plan which I am about to propofe, will find 
many enemies ; it is in oppofition to too many 
paffions and interefls, not to excite a croud of 
gainfayers : but I appeal beforehand to impartial 
reafon, and the decided voice of the general wel- 
fare : if they are liftened to, my plan cannot fail 
of fuccefs, and the Vendee has gained its caufe. 

Among the means which I am about to pro- 
pofe, there are fecondary ones which might indeed 
be attended with falutary effects, but which can- 
not ftrike at the root of the evil. This end is 
to be attained only by general means : I fhall 
begin with thefe latter, referring myfelf to reply 
to the objections which might be urged, till I have 
explained them. 

e e z The 



$JL2 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

The firft of thefe means is, beyond all dis- 
pute, to eftablifh in the centre of the Vendee* 
the prefecture, the central fchool, and other eftab- 
lifhments of that nature. 

The fecond, is to render the Thoue navigable* 
and even the Sevre-Nantaife; I have been in- 
formed, that this river can be made fa at ten 
leagues from its mouth. 

The third, is to make two great roads, crofting 
each other at right angles at the point, which I 
(hall hereafter name : the firft fhould lead from 
Poitiers to Nantes, palling by Parthenay, upon 
the banks of the Sevre, and to Chollet; the fe- 
cond fhould lead from Thouars to Sables-d'Olonne* 
palling the point fituated on the Sevre juft men- 
tioned, to Chateigneraie and Fontenay. 

The fourth, is to give frefh adivity to the 
ports of Poitou, to draw ftrangers thither by 
open fairs, and by permitting the free exportation 
pf woolens, linens, cattle, fait, and even corn. 

Each of thefe means require explanation, and 
I (hall attempt to do it in few words, depending 

upon 



WAR IN THE VENDEE 21.) 

upon the indulgence, impartiality and candor 

of my readers. 

Agreeably to one of the axioms which I have 
juft laid down, it is efTential to public profperity, 
that the fecondary agents of government fhould 
refide in the centre of the countries which they 
fuperintend. Excepting a few diftrifts of the 
Lower Vendee, which border upon Fontenay, that 
country has the jufteft reafon to make remon- 
strances. In an extent of more than three hun- 
dred fquare leagues, it does not poffefs any efta- 
blifhment, any high road, or. any canal ; nor 
any of thofe regenerating means, fo liberally la- 
vifted upon neighbouring cities. In the fame 
proportion that the Vendee has to thank nature 
for the bounties which (he has lavifhed upon it, it 
has a right to complain of the neglect of fuc- 
ceflive governors, who have all appeared to treat . 
it with contempt up to the prefent day. It will 
certainly be matter of furprife for poflerity, that 
in fo extenfive a fpace, in the midft of one of the 
richeft countries in France, no man of genius has 
yet thought of building a town, for we cannot 
reafonably apply that name to miferable villages, 
which alone have hitherto covered it. If the 
prodigal Lewis XIV. who expended fo many 

millions 



2l4 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

millions in building VerfaiU'es, the Invalids, and 
fo many ufelefs palaces ; if his no lefs extravagant 
grandchildren, though finking under the weight 
of the public debt, erected Colifseums, Pantheons* 
and other expenfive buildings ; if thefe princes, I 
fay, had devoted the hundredth part of the fums, 
which thefe fumptuous and vaft monuments cofl 
them, in giving vigour to agriculture in the pro- 
vinces, in building towns, eftablifhing manufac- 
tories and other works of that kind, they would 
not only have rendered France the moft nourifhing 
empire in Europe, but they would alfo have 
laved her fome part of thofe political (hocks, which 
have coft her fo much blood and treafure. 

Further, let it not be thought that kings alone 
have been guilty of this odious extravagance : have 
we not feen the Jacobins in their delirium devote 
millions to the manufacturing their pikes, fa 
much vaunted, with which, as they aliened, they 
would overturn the thrones of Europe ; thefe Ja- 
cobins, who in the end became the fubject of 
ridicule* 1 How many prevailing factions have we 

not 

* Had the Jacobins been fubje&s only of ridicule, liberty 
would not have had fo much reafort to complain. Witfc 

whatever 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. Ql5 

not ieen erecting monuments, which were pulled 
down the day after by a more powerful party ? If 
we calculate the expences of the apotheofis of 
Marat, and others no lefs ludicrous fooleries, the 
fpoils of palaces, and the manlions of the richeft 
men in France, we cannot avoid lamenting over 
the mifchiefs which have been perpetrated, and 
the good that might have been done ; in a word, 
we mud confefs, that if divine Providence did 
not conftantly watch over its own work for its 
prefervation, human madnefs would have long ago 
overfet the world, and replunged it in its ancient 
chaos. I hope the reader wiil excufe this digreflion, 
which is indeed but too much connected with the 
' fubjedt of which I am treating, and to which I 
now return. 

I have before obferved, that there were no 
e flab lifh men ts in the Vendue ; it is notorious, 
that there is no one country in France, which 
has a greater and better founded right to complain 
of this neglect. It would be too prolix and tedious 
to give a topographical view of all the departments 
of which the Vendee makes a part : I fhall there- 
whatever contempt their arguments may have been treated, the 

fharpnefsof their pikes has been very fenfibly felt. Note of 

the Tranflator. 

fore 



sn6 



VIEW OF THE CIVIL 



fore confine myfelf to the defeription of that in 
wnich I refide, (the two Sevres) which includes 
in its circuit, the diftri&s of BreiTuire* Aubiers* 
and Chatiilon -> in a word, the half of the Upper 

Vendee. 

If we examine the fi mat ion of the chief town 
of this department, it will be feen that nothing 
could be worfe chofen. The department of the 
two Sevres, hemmed in on the fouth and 
weft fides by the neighbourhood of thofe of the 
Vendee and the Lower Charente, may .be faid 
to refemble the form of an acute angle*. This 
form once granted, I afk every man of good 
fenfe, whether it is juft, inftead of fixing the 
central point in the broaden: part, and at equal 
diftances from its fides, to place it exadlly at the 
point of interferon of the angle of which I have 
juft fpoken. Such however is the pofition of Niort* 
the chief ipot of this department. In order to 
afcertain the truth of what I arTert, government 
has only to caft a glance upon the map of the 

* Its form is. that of art irregular polygon ; but as the chief 
town is fituated at the point of interferon of one of its angles, 
I maintain that it may be confidered under the fhape which I 
have mentioned. 

,r country, 



WAR IN THE VENDEE, 21 7 

country, and it will readily perceive the injuftice 
of this choice, againfl which the northern diftricts 
have fo long and loudly exclaimed. 

I know that the inhabitants of Niort have 
conftantly evinced their attachment to the revo- 
lution, and that they deferve attention : but would 
they wifh to facrifice the general intereft to thofe 
considerations ? 1 cannot believe it. I (hall con- 
fine myfelf to combating the two principal ob- 
jections which they have hitherto made againfl 
every plan propofed for changing the capital of 
the department. 

In the firft place, they argue, that in cafe 
of invafion by the Englifh, it would be eafier to 
iiTue the neceflary orders from Niort, to direct 
the march of the national guards, and in fhort, 
to take all the neceflary orders to repel them. 

This objection at firft fight may appear very 
plaufible, but it falls to the ground of itfelf, as 
fbon as it is examined. In fa6t, the Englifh being 
able to come only by fea, we muft in that cafe 
fuppofe, that there was no place on the firft line 
in a fituation to oppofe them j but whil ft Rochelle 
f f and 



2lS VIEW OF THE CIVI5. 

and the neighbouring ports are in fuch a ftate of 
defence, it is to be prefumed, that if the En- 
glifh ever attempted a defcent, they would di- 
rect it to a very different point. Thus, not 
only has this objection no weight, but 1 further 
infill that it may even be retorted; for if trou- 
bles arife in the interior of the department, and 
experience has but too clearly proved that this 
danger was more to be feared than the chime- 
rical defcent of the Englifh, I may enquire how 
the agents of government, flationed at the extre- 
mity of the angle, can take thofe quick and 
fpeedy meafures, which can alone fthie feditions 
in their birth ? 

Could Brutus have fruflrated at Rome the trea- 
fon of Tarquin's adherents, or the kings of La- 
cedemon have prevented the revolts of the 
Helots, if they had been at twenty leagues dif- 
tance from the fcene of thofe confpiracies ? .Let 
us then candidly confefs, that the Vendee would 
never have made fuch progrefs ; but rather that 
the civil war would have been crufhed at its 
outfet, if the adminiflrative bodies had been fla- 
tioned in its centre. The prefence and authority 
i)f the organs of the laws would have been fuf~ 

ficient 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 21$ 

ficient to keep within the bounds of duty, the 
few malcontents who flirred up this war: the 
Vendean, better inftru&ed in his true interefts, 
and viewing the enormous difproportion of his 
ftrength, would not have ventured to truft his pro- 
perty and exiftence to the chance of fo unequal 
a ftruggle, and we mould not have to lament at 
this day the ruins which cover thefe unfortunate 
provinces. 

The fecond objection is not more folid. The 
inhabitants of Niort pretend that no town can 
be formed near the centre, capable by its buildings 
and extent of accommodating the chief autho- 
rities. This objection alfo falls to the ground, if 
it can be proved that it is poflible to find a 
town adapted to this purpofe. The reader fhall 
prefently be convinced that it is not difficult to 
find fuch a fituation. After having thus refuted 
the objections, I fhall confine myfelf to pointing 
out the inconveniences which refult from the 
prefent ftate of things*. 

The 

* It is very probable, that the inconveniencies frated by 

the author exift ; but in the prefent moral and political 

ftate or the Vendee, the Government would act un wifely, 

if it removed the feat of departmental adminiftration from a 

f f 2 town 



320 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

The heavieft, doubtlefs, is that of which the 
people have fo much reafon to complain, name- 
ly, the being at the greateft poffible diftance, 
from the authorities, from whom alone they can 
obtain j lattice* The greater part not being able 
to undertake fuch expenfive journies, are reduced 
to the hard neceffity of negle&ing their affairs, 
and giving up well founded claims, 

In the fecond place, inftruclion, which is the 
foul of a republic, cannot be propagated, and 
remains confined to a privileged corner of the 
department, without a poflibility of the majority 
of the people being able to fhare in its ad- 
vantages. 

The diflemination of infbu&ion in the Vendee, 
is the only way to prevent frefh troubles; but 
let me afk how miferabie ruined landholders can 
fend their children to central fchools, at the dif- 
tance of twenty leagues from .their homes ? — Can 
it be expected that mere fchooi matters, decorated 

town, the inhabitants of which are fuch examples both of 
good principles and conduct to the provinces around them. 
Niort during the war in the Vendee merited much more than 
the fcanty eulogium of the author. — Note of the Tran/lator. 

with 



WAR IN T THE VENDEE. 221 

with the pompous title of Inftitutors, will be able 
to difleminate thofe valuable principles of know- 
ledge, of which they have not the leaft idea 
themlelves ? 

The final refult then of what I have juft dated 
to be the cafe is, that the city of Niort is fur- 
rounded by thofe who have no conne&ion with 
it, whilft all thofe who have occafiion to go to it 
upon bufmefs, are much too far from it, I dare 
even go further, and maintain that the very ef- 
tablilhment of the department itfelf is radically 
bad, and that there is not one in ail France 
worfe arranged. 

The reader muft recollect,' that at the time of 
the formation of thefe eflablilhments, the depu- 
ties of the feveral towns befieged the Committee 
of the Conftitution. Every one wanted to have a de- 
partment for his town ; and as the large cities had 
a great number of reprefentatives and friends, it 
is not aftoniihing that without regard to the cen- 
trality, they often carried their point in oppofition 
to their competitors. What I have juft ftated, 
was abfolutely the cafe with Niort. 

The 



222 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

The neighbourhood of Fontenay, which is only 
four leagues diftant from it, and that of the depart- 
ment of Charente which borders upon it, for a 
long time fixed the attention of the Committee 
of Conftitution, but at lafl felicitations carried 
the point, and it was refolved, that Niort mould 
have a department. It is true, that to obviate the 
numerous inconveniencies which refulted from that 
ftation, it was agreed, that St. Maixent ftiould 
alternately enjoy the fame advantage. But the 
deputies of Niort had no great trouble two years 
after, in getting this inconvenient turn done away,, 
and their town was maintained in the full pof- 
feffion of the valuable privilege* 

As it generally happens one abufe brings on 
another; by making a department of Niort, 
they were obliged to difmember that of Fontenay, 
and at one flroke they fpoiled the arrangement of 
both in their divifions. Thus, inftead of giving 
to the department of the Vendee fome parts of 
Niort, St. Maixent, and Melle, which were fa 
convenient for it, and diftributing the other parts 
of thefe diftri&s, either in the department of the 
Lower Charente, or in that of Vienne, to which 
they are refpedively adjoining, they even ufurped 
part of the territory at Fontenay 5 the two neigh- 
bouring 



WAR IN THE "VENDEE. 22^ 

bouring towns became the frontiers of their de- 
partment, and only perceived a line of two leagues 
in extent between them. This plan once adopted, 
it was necelTary to «annex to this new department 
a fufficient number of diftrids : they could nei- 
ther be taken from the fouthward nor the weft- 
ward of Niort ; it was therefore indifpenfably ne- 
cefTary to refort to the northern fide, in confequence 
of which the diltricts of Thouars and Chatillon 
were feledted to make up the complement, or in 
other words, were facrificed to pretended con- 
venience. 

It follows from what I have juft mown, that ic 
is is elTentia:ly necelTary to form the department 
of the two Sevres anew ; its bafis is too faulty to 
expect that it will form a good divifion. — Nar- 
rowed too much towards the fouth, it has too 
much breadth towards the north ; and do what 
they will, they can never find a common centre 
for the intercourfe of the inhabitants of Niort and 
Argenton, Chatillon and Chef-Boutonne ; the 
diftance between thefe different countries are too 
confiderable, and their manners too oppofite ; in 
fhort, the Upper Vendee requires an eftablilhment: 
within itfelf, and a particular regime. This point 

once 



224 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

once determined, the following is the new plan 
which I would propofe. 

Diftribute the parts of the diftrid of Niort, 
St. Maixent, and Melle in the neighbouring de- 
partments, in the manner that I have jufh pointed 
out. Carry your central eftablifhment into the 
heart of the Upper Vendee, upon the banks of 
the Sevre-Nantaife, which fpot appears to me the 
moh: convenient placed between La Foret- fur-Sevre 
and Chatillon ; compofe this new department of 
the parts of the former diftricts of Parthenay and 
Thouars, in following the courfe of the Thou£, 
of Vitriers, and Chollet, of the territories of Mor- 
tagne, Chatillon, BreiTuire, Argenton, La Foret-. 
fur-Sevre, and the lands fituated feven leagues 
beyond that river, and you will have a well rounded 
department, not lefs confiderable than that of 
the two Sevres. At firil fight, this plan prefents 
feeming difficulties ; I fhall therefore attempt to 
do them away. 

I may be aiked, what will become of the parts 
of the diflricts of Thouars and Parthenay, fituated 
beyond the Thoue, if this plan be adopted. In 
reply to this objection, I anfwer, that the nearer! 
diftri&s may be retained in the new department, 

and 



\ 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 225 

and that the others will be very well fatisfied with 
being annexed to the department of Vienne, 
having feveral times folicited that favor. 

It may alfo be objected, that by this plan I 
take away from the departments of the Vendee, 
Mayenne and Loire, a part of their territory. I 
anfwer, that with refpedt to the firft, its lofs is 
very amply compenfated by the new diftricts fuper- 
added^; and that with refpecl: to the fecond, it will 
have no reafon to regret the lofs of a few devaftated 
diftricts, which their great diftance from the chief 
flation prevents being cultivated again -, that in 
the fecond place, it would preferve a part of the 
divifions of Vitriers and Chollet, which would 
reduce its lofs to a few communes ; that laftly, 
this department is much too extenfive, exceeding 
the neighbouring departments by near one third, 
which is contrary to republican principles, equally 
applicable to the divilion of territory, as to any 
thing elfe. 

Finally, it may be faid to me, how can you 
lodge your admin iftrative bodies in a country town, 
and even in the open country ? 



To 



226 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

To this objection I anfvver, that after burning 
fo many towns in the Vendue, nothing could be 
more glorious for thofe who govern, than to 
eftablifh a colony in the midft of thefe ruins, and 
to build a city there, worthy of its founders. 
Every thing feems to favor the idea; the ma- 
terials of every kind which abound in this pro- 
vince, and at the loweft rate; the advantageous fitu- 
ation on the Sevre, upon whofe banks were formerly 
erected manufactories, which might again be 
rendered flourifhing : add to thefe confiderations, 
that the greateft part of the inhabitants of Chatil- ' 
Ion and Mortagne, who were burned out, and who 
for the want of means to repair their houfes, 
are dill exiles in the neighbouring departments, 
would ardently embrace the opportunity of returning 
to their country, and would with pleafure fettle in 
the new city. Every thing then feems favourable 
towards deciding the government to put this lau- 
dable and generous plan into execution. The 
advances which it would be under the neceffity 
of making would very foon be amply reimburfed ; 
in lefs than twenty years the expences of this 
eftablifh ment would be repaid; and without having 
exhaufled the public treafure, it would acquire 
immortal glory,' in raifing a country from its 

ruins, 



WAR IN THE VENDEE, 227 

ruins, and thereby meriting and receiving the 
gratitude and bleffings of the whole of the 
Vendee. 

Methinks I already hear thofe cold calculators* 
whofe political views never can take a wide range, 
reply to me, M Into what expences will you hurry 
the government? Are you not aware that, having 
been obliged to carry on a deftru&ive war, it 
cannot afford to give any afliftance towards exe- 
cuting your plan ?" 

1 fhall only obferve to them, that it is calum- 
niating the government to affert, that it does 
not referve funds for encouragement of agricul- 
ture, whilfl its attention is fo bent upon that 
interefting object, that it is conftantly offering 
premiums to thofe who diftinguifh themfelves 
in the cultivation of lands, in the forming new 
plantations, or making experiments, affording 
them for thefe purpofes every fort of encou- 
ragement and even advances of money. Govern- 
ment is too well informed not to be fenfible, that 
nothing can be taken from a fund without fome 
returns being made ; that all uncultivated land 
is fo much lofs to the flate - y that to devote fome 
money to the renovation of a province, is to fow 
g g 2 in 



228 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

in order to reap a plentiful harveft ; it is lending 
its money at the higheft intereft, and opening 
inexhauftible fources of public profperity : it muft 
feel, I fay, that by reftoring its agriculture and 
commerce to a ruined province, it increafes the 
means of fubfiflence in the Hate, and confequently 
the quantum of population ; in a word, that from 
the'inftant its receipts begin to fail in any de- 
partment, it ought to make a point of im- 
mediately giving it aid; fince, notwithflanding 
the refources of the mod expert financier, it is 
impomble to be always taking out of a purfe 
without filling it again. Such at this day is the 
lituation of the Vendee ; ruined and defolated as 
it is, it bears the fame burden as before the 
war, which led to its destruction. It even finks 
under the weight of its taxes ; the hufbandman 
is obliged to difpofe of his capital, and the 
collectors' in the difcharge of their duty, are obliged 
to make ufe of the intervention of a fwarm 
of bailiffs and tipflaffs, which alone, according to 
the feventh axiom which I have laid down, is 
fufficient to convince me that the debt is too great, 
and that government will feel the juftice of dimi- 
nishing the taxes, or affording the means of pay- 
ing them. The mofl practicable of thefe means, 
and certainly the moft effectual,' is to found the 

colony 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 229 

colony which I propofe. All governments, both 
ancient and modern, feel the neceffity of thefe 
eftablifhments. Without mentioning Alexandria 
and fo many other cities, which, under the do- 
minion of Alexander, regulated the affairs of the 
empires which he had conquered, are we not 
informed that Rome and Carthage, thofe very 
nourifliing republics, attained their higheft pitch 
of profperity only by means of their colonies ? It 
may alfo be remarked, that it was in the mid ft 
of their mod cruel wars that thefe wile republics 
thought it proper to eftablifh barriers between 
themfelves and untraceable or reftlefs fubje&s and 
allies. Would Carthage have been able to pre- 
ferve her poiTeffions in Spain for fuch a length 
of time without Carthagena ; and without her 
colonies on the Rhine, could Rome for fo many 
ages have been able to reftrain the efforts and 
irruptions of the warlike people of Germany ? 

It was in the midfl of the wars of Africa, of 
Perfia, and Italy, that the emperor Juftinian 
built or eftablifhed in his dates more than fifty 
towns ; and, as Evagrius has judicioufly obferved, 
the glory which he derived from thefe eftablifn- 
ments, will appear more brilliant in the eyes of 

p often ty 



$0O VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

pofterity, than the fplendid victories of Belifarius and 
Narfes. But why quote foreign examples ? was it 
not in the midft of the cruel wars which menaced 
France with ruin, that Francis I. and Lewis XIV, 
prodigal as they were, built cities, dug canals, 
made ports, and joined feas ? and cannot the French 
Republic, no lefs powerful than Rome under its 
Scipios, or than France under its Charlemagne, 
undertake to build a city in a defolated country, on 
which the refloration of a province, the advantage 
of the Hate, and the public profperity depend ?--* 
But it is too much to dwell on fuch frivolous 
objections - y I mould be afraid, by continuing, ta 
wound the dignity of a magnanimous nations I 
therefore defift, and refume my fubjed. 

I have enlarged a little upon the particulars of 
the firfb means that I pointed out, becaufe I con- 
fider it as the fundamental bafis of my plan. I 
go on to the fecond, and fhall fhow that the 
navigation of the Thoue and the Sevre may pow- 
erfully contribute to the re-eftablifhment of the 
Vendee. 

According to the fourth axiom which I have 
laid down, it is certain that without canals, the 
moft fertile countries cannot become flourifhing; 

as 



WAR IN THE YEXDEE. 201 

as foon as the low price given for his commodi- 
ties impedes the efforts of induftry, the hufband- 
man is difcouraged, and can no longer engage 
in any kind of fpeculation : but the difficulty of 
carriage is what clogs induftry the mod ; and 
no fooner does the expence of conveyance 
fwallow up two-thirds of the produce of his ex- 
portation,, than the difcouraged farmer neglects 
the cultivation of all articles of which the carriage 
is attended with difficulties. His fuperfluity is 
in fome meafure loft to him, and often for want 
of a channel for fale, poverty befieges him in the 
midft of abundance. Canals then are of fuch in- 
finite importance, that the profperity of a country 
may be eftimated by the number it contains. 
China, finking under the weight of its immenfe 
population, only fubfifts by means of its navigable 
rivers -, Holland, in the midft of its marfhes, finds its 
profperity in the facility of its water carriage, whilftthe 
greater part of fertile Poland labours under mifery in 
the midft of abundance. In our republic, all the in- 
habitants on the banks of the Seine, the Rhone, and 
the Loire, are in eafy circumftances, while thofe 
of the no lefs fertile provinces of Berry and Poitou 
can hardly procure money enough to pay their . 
taxes. All thefe inftances tend to mow that there 
can be no trade without- canals or navigable rivers. 

Although 



2^2 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

Although the Vendee is only watered by incon- 
fiderable ftreams, it is neverthelefs poflible to ame- 
liorate its fituation in that branch. The Thoue, 
in order to be made navigable, only waits the 
will of the government. Some years ago, Lenain, 
the intendant of Poitiers, took up this bufinefs : 
an engineer fent by him to the fpot, was com- 
miffioned to take plans and prefent memorials on 
the fubject. Thefe interefting papers were depo- 
fited at the time in the office of the Secretary 
of Intendance^ and it will not be difficult for Go- 
vernment to procure them. But the deplorable 
Hate of the finances, and the misfortunes which 
took place from the maritime wars at the end 
of the reign of Lewis the XV. prevented the 
Government from following up this laudable 
defign ; and although the engineer only afked a 
moderate fum to put it into execution, he could 
not obtain it. Nothing would be more creditable 
to Government at this period, than to refume 
fuch a ufeful project. There is not perhaps any 
undertaking of this kind in France that would 
require lefs money. It is only neceiTary to make 
a few locks, and to deepen in two places where 
there are flats, as has been done above Mon- 
treuil-Bellay ; where at only a hundred thoufand 
livres expence, the fame river has been rendered na- 
vigable 



WAH IN THE VENDEE. 535 

vigable to Saumur, fituated at about three leagues 
diftance from it. All that is requifite then upon 
the whole, is to proceed in the fame way as far 
as Thouars, at four leagues diftance from Mon- 
treuil. I am convinced in lefs than ten years, 
the tolls which might be eftabliihed on that river 
would reimburfe the government for all its ad- 
vances. This project, fo eafy and fo little ex- 
penfive, would be of the higheft confequence to 
the Vendue, and in ten years would render it as 
-flourifhing as it is now miferable. All the furplus 
of the Vendean produce, conveyed by land carri: ge 
at a fmall expence to Thouars, upon a road of 
which I fhall hereafter fpeak, might be embarked 
upon the Thane, conveyed to Saumur, Tours, 
Orleans, and paffing by the canal of Briaire, 
might even reach the capital. Paris would aifo 
receive considerable pleafure as well as advantage in 
feeing VenJean merchants felling their commo- 
dities in its ports. 

The navigation of the Sevre-Nantaife would 
afford no lefs valuable benefits* to the Vendee. 
I (hall not enter into any details refpecting the 
means of rendering the river navigable ; I can 
only offer the Government on this head, the tefti- 
mony of a few well-informed men, who have 
h h allured 



#54 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

affured me, that it would, be poffible to navigate 
it at ten leagues from its mouth, which alfo 
muft be left to the engineers to afcertain. I 
fhall content myfelf with obferving, that there 
are many who in' the courfe of fuch examinations 
find it much ealier to cut the Gordian knot than 
to untie it, which government will doubtlefs take 
care to prevent. But on the whole, the advan- 
tages which the Vendee would reap from this na- 
vigation would be incalculable ; for whilfl part 
of its produce, by means of the Thoue, might 
be fold even in the capital, the other part, by 
going down the Sevre, would reach the banks 
of the Loire, would fell to advantage in the mar- 
kets of Nantes, and in the port of that town or 
that of Paimbseuf, might be (hipped in the Spa- 
nifh or Dutch vefTels which trafrick in thefe 
ports. 

I have now fhown the advantages which the 
Vendue would derive from the navigation of the 
Sevre and the Thoue ; I pafs over to the third 
remedy which I nave pointed out, viz. that of 
conftructing two great roads. 

If money forms the nerve of the body politic, it 
may be faid that high roads are its veins - 9 they alone 

were 



I 

WAR IN THE VENDUE. 235 

were of more fervice to theprefervationof the Roman 
empire, than all the valour of their commanders ; 
to thefe the French Revolution is indebted for 
its progrefs, and the Republic alfo for a part of 
its victories. When the barbarifm which fucceeded 
the reigns of the Conftantines and the Theodo- 
fms, had entirely obliterated thofe ancient monu- 
ments of Roman glory, commerce was annihi- 
hilated in Europe. This beautiful quarter of the 
world became a den of favages ; the arts and fci- 
ences difappeared ; the inhabitants were reduced 
to exchange their commodities only among neigh- 
bouring diftricts ; neighbouring kingdoms became 
unknown countries ; with the love of luxury, the 
relilh for induftry was loft ;• and in a word, if 
the deftruclion of the Roman roads brought on 
the ruin of trade, the failure of the latter 
plunged Europe into the thicker! darknefs of 
ignorance and feudalifm. 

Since the revival of commerce and the arts, 
every government has exerted itfelf inconftruc"ting 
high roads in its refpe&ive ftateS. France, from 
the number it contains, is perhaps the moft con- 
venient country in that refpect j but whilft the 
greateft part of the departments enjoy this valu- 
able 



S3'6 VIEW OF THE CIVII* 

able advantage, the greater part of the Vendee 
is totally deprived of it. Excepting two bye roads 
from Saumur to Chollet, and from Montreuil 
to Parthenay, in a fpace of near two hundred 
fquare leagues, 1 do not know of any road that 
can be deemed practicable : nor have the majo- 
rity of the inhabitants of the Upper Vendee ay 
more communication with Fontenay, Nantes and 
the other neighbouring towns than with Germany: 
and Italy. The Government muft perceive how 
much this privation muft tend to deaden all in- 
duftry among the Vendeans, to confine them to 
their own d^ftrids, render them a diftind people, 
and impede all progrefs towards civilization. 

The only means of obviating thefe inconve- 
niences is * what I propofe. It is abfolutely 
neceffary then to conftrud two high roads, which 
may interfed each other at right angles near the 
new town of which I have before fpoken. The 
firft wouldlead from Poitiers to Nantes, and the fe- 
cond from Thouars to Sables-d'Olonne, preferving 
the direction I have already defcribed. 

With refped to this fubjed I muft obferve, 

, that in the conftrudion of the former of thefe 

roads, they might work on the foundations of the 

ancient 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. $5j 

ancient Roman road, of which fome traces are 
flill difcoverable*. I may alio add -that the high 
road from Poitiers to Parthenay being already 
made, a quarter of the tafk is done. The fecond 
of the two roads which I have propofed, might 
ferve for a communication between Paris, Fontenay 
and Sables ; it would ihorten by twenty leagues 
the road now ufed. On this head I muft remark, 
that k is afloniming even to this moment, Go- 
vernment has not thought of changing the ordi- 
nary route from Paris to Rochelle, and fend its 
couriers by way of Mans, La Fleche, Saumur, 
Thouars, Parthenay, Niort, &c. &c. which would 
afford travellers the advantage of fhortening their 
journey, finding provifions at a much lower price 
than what they are obliged to pay ; and in 
a word, meeting with much more convenient roads- 
The Vendee would likewife derive from thefe 
changes the advantage of felling a confiderable 
furplus of its hay, and no longer find itfelf obliged 
to confume it without profit, or fell it at a low 
rate. 

* There are fome traces of it to be feen in the town of 
Forges, and near the New Houfe. 

The 



3 5 8 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

The lafi of thefe changes would occafion only 
a trifling expence ; all the high roads are in to- 
lerable condition; there are only a few bridges 
to be repaired, and poll: houfes eftablimed. If the 
Government condefcends to adopt my views, and 
to make the roads which I propofe, the Vendee 
will want nothing further, and its profperity will 
henceforth be infured. The firft road will cut 
the new department from eaft to weft, and the 
fecond from north to fouth ; the one will faci- 
litate its exportations into the departments of the 
interior, and the other will at all times open eafy 
communications with the fea ports. Befides thefe 
two great roads, which would run through all 
the interior parts of the department, it has al- 
ready two bye-roads, viz. that of Thouars to Par- 
thenay, and that from Doue to Chollet, the ad- 
vantages of which are incalculable. There would 
then be very few departments in the republic, 
where the communications of every kind would 
be more eafy ; and where, confequently commerce 
and induftry might take deeper root. 

Having thus pointed out the advantages which 
the Vendee might derive from the propofed high 
roads, I mall proceed to the fourth objed which 

I mentioned,, 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. «2og 

I mentioned, and fhew by what means a new 
activity may be given to its ports. 

Maritime commerce is become fo necefTary to 
the profperity of ftates, it is fo much connected 
with the fuccefs of agriculture, that in general a 
dry fand, fituated advantageoufly upon the fea 
coaft, prefents to the political obferver more ad- 
vantages than a fertile foil deprived of the means 
of communication. Athens and Tyre, fituated ia 
the midft of a moft ungrateful foil, attained the 
higheft degree of fplendour, while the more fer- 
tile provinces of Perfia and Affyria languished in 
the midft of barren abundance. 

The marines of Holland . at this period are the 
fources of more wealth than half the kingdoms 
of the north ; and we fee England rule the feas 
by her fleets, and draw more treafure into her 
ports, than the moil flourifhing empires of anti- 
quity ever pofTefTed. France, as advantageoufly 
fituated as her rival, has for a length of time dif- 
puted the commerce of the whole world : and had 
it not been for the errors of Lewis XIV. had it 
not been for the felfifhnefs and apathy of his de- 
fendants 3 in a word, had it not been for the im- 
menfe burden which the republic has had to fup- 

port 



240 VIEW OE THE CIVIL 

port in a war againft. all Europe, it is probable 
that we mould by this time have wrefted the do- 
minion of the feas out of the hands of the En- 
glim. Now that the continental peace appears 
confirmed, it is likely that the Government will 
direct its views to our navy and our ports. 

Although the Vendee has no ports on its coafls 
of great importance, we may be allowed to hope 
that none of the means which it affords will be 
neglected to improve its maritime trade, to repair 
its ports and bays, and, in a word, to correct na- 
ture in thofe places where it offers the feweft 
obftacles to be furmounted. It was by fuch efforts 
that the celebrated Cofmo de Jvledicis was enabled, 
in fpite of nature, to create the port of Leghorn, 
and to draw commerce and induftry into his 
flates ; it was by fuch means that the Hollanders 
were enabled to furmount difficulties deemed in- 
fuperable, and to refcue from the fea a now 
flourifhing country. Fortunately the French Go- 
vernment has no fuch efforts to make to ' repair 
the ports, of the Vendee ; thcmoft difficult tafk 
without doubt will be, that of engaging foreigners 
to refort thither. Even to this day, thefe ports 
have been fo neglected, and have had fo little 
credit, that the Spaniards who have bufinefs to 

tranfact 



WAR IN THE VENDEE 241 

tranfact in the departments of .the weft, inftead of 
coming by fea, and landing at the ports of Sa- 
bles or Nantes, have conftantly preferred coming 
by way of Bayonne and Bourdeaux, although the 
journey by this road cofts them treble the expence. 
It will perhaps be difficult for Government to 
induce them to change their route, and to draw 
them to our ports ; but there is reafon to believe 
that it will fucceed, when it lhall prefent advan- 
tages for commerce ; when permiffion mail be 
given them to export fait, and fuch furplus of 
grain as they may ftand in need of -, when they 
mail find themfelves no longer fubje&ed to thofe 
minute and infulting precautions, which have been 
habitually exercifed againft them in the greater 
part of our ports ; when in fhort they (hall fee 
that the fyftem of prohibitions has been aban- 
doned*. This would be the proper place to 

point 

* A liberal idea which it would perhaps become all go- 
vernments to adopt, would be to leave all commerce free, and 
to admit of no prohibitory fyftems, with the exception only ; 
of the articles indifpenfably necefTary to the fubfiftence of the 
people. It may be imagined by fome, that by giving that 
latitude to commerce, we mould be liable in France to fee 
our fpecie transferred to foreigners, and our manufactures de- 
I i feited 



2 42 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

point out the numberlefs abufes which follow 
a prohibiting fyftem, and what injury" does it 
to trade ; but the bounds which I have prefcribed 

ferted ; but I do not think that this apprehenfion is well founded. 
If we prefer foreign commodities, foreigners have the fame de* 
fire to obtain thofe of which we are in poffeflion ; the human 
heart is every where the fame : we feek for objects with ea- 
gernefs in proportion to the diftance from whence they come. 
In exchange for the monkies which China fends us, fhe delights 
in the playthings of Europe; the Peruvian gave up heaps of 
gold to the Spaniards for knives ; the African bellows his ivory 
for grains of glafs ; the Canadian his beaver (kins for a few bottles 
of brandy ; in fhorr, the reality is every where neglected, while 
we run after the fhadow ; fafhion and caprice alone fix the 
price of the greateft part of articles ; tea, coiFee, chocolate, and 
("pints have made the fortunes of men in Europe, becaufe they 
come from a diftance. From the fame motive our European 
merchandifes are fought by the Afiatics ; and whilft the Eu- 
ropean petit maitre enjoys the luxury of the ananas of India, 
the Indian prefers to the delicious fruits of his own country 
one of thofe apples which we every day tread under our feet. ' 
It appears from what has been obferved, that were an unlimitted , 
trade permitted, there would be nearly an equal advantage. 

An object of this importance, however, demands a difcufiion 
of greater length. I mall confine myfelf to the obfervation, that 
till I have proof to the contrary, I mall continue to think 
with a celebrated minifter, that there is but one maxim to fol- 
low refpeeting trade ' t —Laffi%~nvus fairt* 

to 






WAR IN THE VENDEE. 2 45 

to myfelf will not permit me to enter into thefe 
particulars ; befides, I am too well convinced of 
the wifdom of government, not to believe that this 
point will be fpeedily remedied. 

The principal articles of trade between the 
Spaniards and the Vendee, would be for the 
former, grain, fait, fat oxen, leather, mules, linen, 
and cloth ; the latter would receive in exchange, 
oils, groceries, medicinal drugs, dye fluff, fheep*, 

and 

* Our politicians have confidered it as impoffible to accuftom 
the Spanifh fheep to the French climate, and pretend that their 
removal from a warm country into a moifl and temperate cli- 
mate, would deftroy one half of the race, and caufe the other 
to degenerate. Thefe declamations made too ftrong an im- 
preflion at the time on the mind of Colbert, and deprived 
France of an invaluable benefit. To conquer thefe prejudices, 
it feemed requifite that a nation fituated at the extremity of 
the north of Europe fliould prove to us, by its example and 
fuccefs, that the Spanifh fheep may be eafily accuftomed to 
the climate of any other country. At the period of the re- 
volution which reftored the Swedes to freedom, that people 
reduced to make ufe of foreign ftuffs in their drefs, refolved 
to rid themfelves of fuch an irkfome ftate of dependence in 
that particular ; they fent to Spain for ftieep, which in a few 
years multiplied to fuch a degree, without degenerating in any 
perceptible manner, that in 1763, the Swedifh manufactures 
i i % employed 



244 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

and metals. Fairs might be eftablifhed at Sables, 
and in other towns of the Vendee, which would 
foon become noted from the concourfe of fo- 
reigners of different nations ; for it is clear that 
the Spaniards ought not to be the only nation ad- 
mitted into the ports of the Vendee ; the 
Dutch and other allies of the Government fhould 
ihare equally in the fame advantages. 

employed forty-five thoufand perfons. From fuch an example 
of fuccefr in a country like Sweden, it may be prefumed that 
the French government will neglect nothing to procure for 
France, and particularly for the Vendee, fuch great advan*. 
tages, and augment the fmaller number of thofe valuable anL 
mals, for which we are already indebted to its paternal care. 



CHAPTER. 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 245 



CHAPTER XL 



SECONDARY MEANS OF RE-ESTABLISHMENT. 

I have juft pointed out the principal means by 
which the Vendee may be re-eflablifhed : I am 
firmly perfuaded, that by adopting thefe means, 
this country will be placed in the mod prof- 
perous condition it can poffibly attain ; and 
without which it will never have either a moral 
or political exiflence fuitable to it. Be that as it 
may, I confider the meafures which I am about 
to propofe, as the moft effectual for the refto- 
< ration of that country. Thefe meafures have 
almoft all, according to the meafures which I 
have pointed out, the ineftimable advantage of 
bringing no expences with them, nor any ad- 
vances ; and if the poverty of the public treafure 
ferves as a pretence for delaying the execution of 

the 



246 VIEW OF THE CIVII* 

the principal parts of this plan, the fame mo-? 
tive will not militate againft thofe which I (hall 
now unfold. 



In general, agriculture is very much neglected 
among the Vendeans ; the deftru&ive fyftem of 
fallow lands is become a real fcourge to that 
country. Out of two hundred and fixty acres 
of land, the hufbandman fcarcely fows a hundred 
each year. This general neglect is owing to 
three principal caufes : firft, to the want of ex- 
ports ; fecondly, to the difficulty of conveyance ; 
thirdly, to the weight of taxes*, which fcarcely 

leaves 



* The Vendee is fo destitute of money, and poflefTes fa 
few openings to trade, that the collection of taxes in fpecie will 
always meet with difficulties. There is no doubt but that a 
tax in kind, adopted with fome reftrictions, would be more ad- 
vantageous to that part of the eountry. For fuch a tax no- 
thing but labour is required. At the time of the difcuffion 
refpecting taxes in kind, it was too flightly aflferted and beleived, 
that this fyftem had never been followed in Europe. In the 
feventh century there was no other known in Germany, and 
even in France, nor was it obferved that the farmers were 
more unhappy on that account. Throughout almoft every king- 
dom of India, the taxes are paid by labour, or in kind, and 
there are fewer poor in that quarter of the globe than in Eu- 
rope .. 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. %&<] 

leaves the hufbandman the common necefTaries 
of life, and confequently prevents him from at- 
tempting any kind of fpeculation. I may add to 
thefe confi derations, that the kind of barley known 
by the name of Baillarge [Hordeum Diftichon) which 
the neighbouring diftri&s cultivate with fo much 
advantage, are by no means fuitable to the light 
and fandy foil of the Vendee, and that confe- 
quently, it cannot derive any advantage from 

rope. The Chinefe know no other tribute, and are profpe- 
rous. This tax is laid on according to the quality of the foil, 
from a twelfth to a thirtieth part of the produce. One part 
of it is employed for the maintenance of the troops and the 
magiftrates, and the other is placed in warehoufes for the 
public neceffities in times of fcarcity. 

Invariable good order prevents abufes, and for ages this 
tax has never been increafed. There is no doubt, that to their 
religious adherence to this fyftem the Chinefe are indebted 
for that fplendour, which has raifed them to the firft rank 
among civilized nations; if this flouriming empire has ex- 
ifted with reputation for fo many centuries, it is becaufe the 
taxes in kind have prevented its peafants from oppreffion: 
the ftate only requires a proportion of what they raife ; it 
(hares with them the viciflitudes of times and feafons, be- 
comes rich or poor with the people, and the mercilefs hand 
of a financier never feizes upon the fubfiftence of a family, 
or makes it pay the produce of a harveft which it has not 
reaped. 

that 



248 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

that valuable refource. It is true that the 
farmers might replace the cultivation of the 
Balliarge by that of other grain, no lefs ufeful 
and profitable ; but the ftate of diftrefs into 
which they are funk, puts a flop to every ex- 
ertion; befides, the Vendeans, invincibly at- 
tached to the cuftoms of their fathers, are from 
character hoflile to all innovation. It is neceflary 
then for Government to begin firft with combating 
that fpirit of routine, which in the Vendee is the 
greateft enemy to agriculture. The beft means 
of fucceeding are, doubtlefs, example and emu- 
lation. The colony which I have propofed can 
alone produce this emulation, and do away the 
evil of fallow .lands. The Alfatian would carry 
with him into the Vendee the culture of the 
rape feed, the Limoufin that of potatoes, the 
Breton that of buck- wheat ; each would tranfport 
with him the fpecies of induftry moft appropriate 
to his province ; the native of Franche-Compte 
would teach the Vendean to put his milk to profit, 
and make cheefe after the manner of his country ; 
the Norman would open a new branch of com- 
merce, by making excellent cyder of the apples 
with which the country abounds, and from which 
to the prefent day no benefit has been derived* ; 

* A landed proprietor of my acquaintance fome time ago 

made 



WAR IN THE VENDEE: 34g 

tiie native of Flanders might teach him to cul^ 
tivate hops and fubftitute beer for wine, which 
nature has denied to the greater part of the 
country ; in fhort the concurrence of fo many 
different hufbandmen would excite to induftry 
and the love of gain ; would raife the value of 
produce four-fold by the activity given to trade 
and agriculture, and, awakening emulation and 
the mofh active paffions of the human heart, would 
roufe Vendean induftry from the apathy into 
which it is plunged, 

I have already fpoken of the cultivation of 
rape feed, buck-wheat, and potatoes. If I have 
given the preference to thefe productions above 
every other, it is from the perfuafion that they 
are the moft fitted to fucceed in the Vendee*. 

made this experiment with complete fucceis ; from twelve 
bufhels of apples he obtained fixty bottles of cyder of good 
quality and well tafted. 

* I think, however, that the ground piftachio-nut, (arrachis 
Hypogea) fo well known in the kingdom of Valentia, might 
here be cultivated with fuccefs; This plant requires a light 
and. fandy foil, like that of the Vendee : its advantages are 
known ; the oil extracted from it is almeft as good as the oit 
of olives, a pound of feed producing a pound of oil : a 
handful of this feed will fovv four fquare toifes, and ten perches 
©f land will produce twelve hundred plants. 

k k thofe 



c 



25o VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

thofe three feem deftined by nature to profper lit 
the light and fandy foil of that country. The 
firffc offers many advantages: its leaf will be of 
ufe in fattening cattle, and its oil for the con- 
fumption of the country. 

I mall further obferve that it only requires one 
pound of feed to fow twenty-four toifes (or forty- 
eight fquare metres), which renders its cultivation 
cheap. The fecond often fupplies Britanny during a 
fcarcity of rye ; it makes excellent fodder for cows, 
and is of ufe in fattening poultry ; the advan- 
tages of the third are too well known to make 
it neceflary for me to point them out} I fhall 
remark only, that the potatoe is the moft ufeful 
production of Europe, and that it is the real 
bread tree of the ancient continent. 

Befides the means which I have juft pointed 
out, Government ought to turn its attention to 
the cultivation of the chefnut tree. It appears 
that formerly the whole country comprifed be- 
tween the Thoue and the Loire, was covered with 
thefe very ufeful trees. Almoft all the wood work of 
the ancient buildings in thofe countries, is compofed 
of beams and rafters of chefnut, although at this day 
but very few trees of this fort are found in thofe 

diftridts. 



a 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. " $5 1 

diftricts. Its culture is fo much neglected, that 
I am perfuaded, in two centuries hence there 
will be none left in the Vendee. New plan- 
tations then ought to be immediately made ; and 
if the Government will give but even flight en- 
couragement, I am convinced that the proprietors 
will engage in them with fuccefs. 

The culture of the white mulberry tree would 
likewife afford great advantages, and would open 
in the Vendee a new branch of commerce. The 
few trees of that fpecies which fome friends 
to agriculture have endeavoured to naturalife, 
have compleatly fucceeded ; I, neverthelefs, believe 
that the beft plan for flocking the Vendee, would 
be to graft them upon quinces, wild pear, elm, 
poplar, and a few other indigenous trees, and 
I have no doubt, but that they would profper in 
a very fhort time. 

Endeavours mould alfo be ufed to procure 
from the Spaniards, in exchange for the produc- 
tions which they buy, fome of thofe fine rams 
which they breed. It would prove an invaluable 
benefit to the Vendee. The rams would crofs 
the prefent breed, and I am perfuaded r that in 
twenty years die wool of that country would 
K k 2 not 



f 5.2 .VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

not yield in quality, nor in value, to the fineft 
Englifh wools*. 

The means which I have hitherto pointed out* 
only tend to revive agriculture and commerce. 
But all the fuccefs which they are capable of 
producing, will be looked for in vain, if unani- 
mity and activity do not prefide over the execution. 
Whatever zeal magiftrates may have for the en- 
couragement of agriculture, their efforts are ge- 
nerally unfuccefsful. The multiplicity of their 
other labours is alvyays injurious to that branch 
pf their adminiftration ; on the other hand, the 
neceffity they are fometimes under of executing 
rigorous laws, deprive them of that degree of con- 
fidence, without which it is impoffible to ob- 
tain great fuccefs. Throughout the whole of 

* " There are in Poitou, (according to M. Buffon) fheep' 
which feem to be of a foreign breed, and which are larger, 
ftronger, and better covered with wool, than thofe of the com- 
mon race ; the ewes alfo breed better, and often bring forth 
two lambs at a time, of two lambs in a year. Buffon's Naural 
Hifiqry^ Vol. 6, page %,§0, jPa?zs Editirn^ 1765. 

If thefe fheep were crofTed by Spanifh rams, I have no, 
doubt but that in a given time the Vendee would have as 
fine fheep as are now in England;. 

the. 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. s55 

the Vendee, the people are accuftomed to con- 
found the law with its inftruments, and to con- 
sider the afTeflbr of the taxes as the author of 
them ; they alfo fear their magiftrates more than 
they love them ; the protector is loft in their 
eyes, while they only view him as the governor. 
The ancients and moderns have all been fenlible, 
that to render agriculture flourifhing, it is ne- 
ceflary to give it immediate protectors. Xeno- 
phon informs us in his Cyropedia, that what ren- 
dered the kingdom of Perfia fo flourifhing was 
the inftitution of fuperintendants or infpe&ors, 
known by the names of the prince's eyes and ears. 
No one is ignorant that if Charlemagne had 
not inftituted officers, known by the name of 
rnijfi dominici, he would not have been able to 
reprefs the numerous abufes of which the pea- 
fantry were the victims, and have given his reign 
that immortal luftre which rendered it the mod 
flourifhing zera of the French Empire, 

From what I have juft ftated, then, I fhouM 
confider the inftitution of new commiffaries, under 
the name of Promoters of the Arts and of Agricul- 
ture, as very ufeful to France. Thefe men, who 
{hould have no coercive authority vefted in them* 

arid 



S54 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

and whofe only arms mould be a direct corref- 
pondence with the minifter, and the refped at- 
tached to their virtues and talents, might effect 
the greateft good without being able in any 
cafe to do harm. As advocates of the unfortu- 
nate hufbandmen, they would find no difficulty 
in gaining their confidence; it is to them that 
they would repair to make thofe fecret com- 
plaints againft the feverity, and frequently the 
injuftice of treafury law fuits, the inequality of 
the affeffments, the fcantinefs of their harvefts, 
the flagnation of trade, and fo many other in- 
conveniencies attached to their condition. Freed 
from the troublefome and expenfive formalities 
of petitions, certain of addrefling themfelves to 
men honoured with the confidence of Govern- 
ment, who would forward in a direct manner 
the complaints they might deem well founded,, 
they would no longer form thofe fecret cabals, 
thofe private confpiracies, and give themfelves up 
to every fpecies of difcontent, the effects of which 
are to four them againft a government from which 
they think they cannot obtain juftice, to make 
them liften to the infinuations of the ill-difpofed ; 
and, in fhort, to produce thofe terrible explofions 
which have fo often endangered the exiftence of 

the 



WAR IN THE VENDUE. Si55 

the republic. I (hall certainly be anfwered that 
the councils of the Arrondijjemens^ and the mayors, 
fufficiently anfwer the purpofe of the inftitution 
which I propofe. Whoever knows the human 
heart will not require me to wade time in re- 
futing this objection. 

According to the fixth axiom which I have 
laid down, Government ought always to grant 
fome aid to thofe places where the receipts are 
in arrears : now, I will maintain that there are 
few departments in France, where the recovery 
of taxes is more difficult than in the Vendee ; 
it is, therefore, more immediately neceffary for 
Government to give it affiftance. The caufe of 
the difficulty found in the collection, is not to 
be attributed to the unwillingnefs of the aneffed 9 
it can only be imputed to the fcarcity, or rather 
the almoft total difappearance of fpecie. I 
would therefore recommend to Government to 
make part of its purchafes in that country. It 
is always in want of flores for its depots, food 
and cloathing for its troops : woolens, cloth, 
cattle, and other productions of the country, pur- 
chafed by its agents, would conftantly difperfe 
confiderable fums, the greateft part of which, after 
circulation, would revert to the national treafury. 

The 



$56 VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

The refidue would ferve for the refloration of 
agriculture, by giving to the hufbandman the 
means of making the neceftary advances ; for one 
of the prejudices which is mod injurious to it, 
and wnich, unfortunately* is radical in the greateft 
part of Europe, is that of hands alone being 
neceflary for the cultivation of the land ; the ex- 
perience of every age which has ' preceded us* 
ferves to prove that the earth returns in propor- 
tion only to what is given it, and that a great 
harveft fuppofes a great previous expence. 

The Iaft remedy which I (ball propofe to Go- 
vernment appears to me to combine great ad- 
vantages, and might be ufefully employed through- 
out the whole republic. 

There exifts, in almoft every great town, an 
infinite number of charitable eftablifhments, known 
by the name of hofpitals, houfes of correction, 
he. Let me afk whether it would not be better 
to remove thefe eftablifhments into the coun- 
try, than to pen them up in populous cities ? 
The price of commodites, higher always in- 
large towns than in the country, often reduces 
to the moft abfolute want fuch eftablifhments, 
which every where elfe would be comfortable 

and 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 207 

and flourifhing. I would therefore recommend 
it to Government to remove into the Vendee 
the numerous hofpitals of Angiers, Nantes, Niort, 
and other furrounding towns*. Burdenfome for 
the molt part in thefe towns, they would prove of 
great utility in the country from their confump- 
tion of neceffaries of every kind ; and for the 
maintenance of thefe hofpitals, ruinous grants or 
other extraordinary means would be no longer 
wanted. A fpring which rifes out of a high 
ground, fertilizes the country around it, and waters 
in a thoufand different directions ; fituated in a flat 
ground, it becomes a marfh, the peftilential va- 
pours of which corrupt all around it. It is ab- 
furd then to place thefe kinds of eftablifhments 
in the centre of confumption, inftead of fixing 
them at the fources of produce. 

Were thefe meafures to be adopted, we mould 
lee the Vendue, now covered with ruins and afhes, 
foon change its appearance and put on a flou- 
rifhing afped j inftead of thofe fecret murmurs 

* There exifts in the Vendee a greafe number of convents, 
which Government might purchafe at a low rate, having been 
fold for very moderate fums, and where they might remove 
the above-mentioned hofpitals. 

l 1 and 



S58 VIEW OF *HE CIVIL 

and fuppreffed emotions, fad effects of mifery 
and defpair, nothing will be heard but fongs of 
joy, the affecting tokens of general content and 
happinefs. Peace for ever eftablifhed, inftruction 
fpreading with rapidity, agriculture fiourilhing, 
induflry freed from its fhackles, exportation made 
practicable by main roads, commerce facilitated 
by interior and exterior navigation, the money 
of foreigners flowing through a thoufand different 
channels, and even fpreading into the neighbouring 
departments : fuch are the effects that would fol- 
low the execution of the plan"*. What a cheering 
and delightful profpect for a true citizen ! what an 
illuftrious and brilliant career would be opened to 
the Government ! what bitter recollections effaced ! 
what a contrafl between thefe ferene days, and 
the ever execrable sera of the reign of anarchy ! 
Refpe&ed abroad, tranquil at home, France happy 
and triumphant would prefent to the beholder, 
the image of a fortunate ifle, againft whofe peaceful 
fhores the angry waves fpend their fury in vain. 



CHAPTER 



i 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 25g 



CHAPTER XII. 



CONCLUSION. 



1 have now gone through the various branches of 
this work, and draw near the end of that taik, 
which my feeble talents profcribed me. In my firft 
chapter, I attempted to trace the origin and defcribe 
the manners of the Vendeans; the fecond chapter has 
been devoted to the topographical defcription of the 
Vendee, its population, and its trade before the war. 
Many critics may attempt to refute what I have 
advanced on the fubject of the population, by 
quoting the accounts made out by the order 
of Government. I have feen thefe ftatements, 
and have not followed them, becaufe I was con- 
vinced of their fallacy. 

With 



s6o VIEW OF THE CIVIL 

With refpect to what relates to commerce, I 
confefs that I was obliged to found my obferva- 
tions on general views; I, was obliged to draw 
the mean proportion between the exports of large 
and fmall communes, and content myfelf with 
. fuch local information as I could procure : I can 
affirm, moreover, that far from exaggerating their 
produce, I have taken care to eflimate them at 
the loweft average. Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, 
contain an hiftorical iketch of die Vendean war. 
If I have fometimes enlarged upon this fubject, 
I confefs I could not refifl the fecret impulfe which 
hurried me on. Had I been writing the hiflory 
of a foreign country, I mould perhaps have fol- 
lowed the ordinary routine of hiflorians, and been 
the cold narrator of events. But in a civil war 
which had nearly effected the ruin of my country, 
of which I was a witnefs, and which coil fo 
many Frenchmen their lives, it was impoffible 
for me to reflrain my pen, or my indignation at 
the various crimes which fullied the conduct of 
both parties. 

The reader will alfo be fenfible, that an hif- 
torical efTay may differ from hiflory ; that within 
the narrow limits which I prefcribed myfelf, I 
was able neither to point out all the caufes, nor 

enlarge 



WAR IN THE VENDEE. 26l 

enlarge upon all the events. Further, if the 
impartiality which ought to prevail in a work 
of this kind, obliged me in fome meafure to do 
juftice to the valour and military talents of the 
infurgents, I have never failed to lament the fatal 
blindnefs which led the Vendee on to its twin. 

Chapter VIII. contains fome particulars res- 
pecting the interior government of the Vendee 
during the war, and the moft celebrated gene- 
rals on both fides. 

Chapter IX. treats of the ftate of commerce 
and agriculture in the Vendee fince the war. I 
am not afraid of being taxed with exaggeration 
in the picture which I have drawn of its prefent 
fituation. I was obliged to mention in the fame 
chapter, the efforts which the Government con- 
ftantly made for the reftoration of the welfare 
of that unfortunate country, and to fhow that 
thefe have hitherto proved infufficient. It re- 
mained for me to point out the means of at- 
taining that end, which I have ventured to at- 
tempt to do in the preceding chapters IX. and 
X. To fupport the fyftem of reftoration 
which I have propofed, I thought it right to 
ground it upon principles which I confider as 

political 



262 VIEW OF THE CIVH, 

political axioms. All the means which I have 
propofed are merely corollaries or consequences, 
which I think ought to enfure them fome 
fuccefs. 

I leave it for the reader to determine whether 
I have accomplifhed the taik which I have pro- 
pofed to myfelf. I feel, moreover, that the fub- 
je& which I have been treating is one of the 
mod interefling poflible to the hearts of French- 
men. What pains me is, that my abilities are 
too weak to exprefs all the importance of the 
Subject. 

Governors ! O ye whofe eyes are conftantly 
fixed upon the exiftence and profperity of thirty 
millions of men, remember always, that by 
your fituations, you are like the ever watchful 
eye of providence, and that nothing without 
you can receive motion and life 1 The wretched 
Vendee looks up to you for its new exiftence. 
Buried under the weight of its ruins and afhes, 
it feels that by your means only it can be reftored 
to happinels. Alas ! to give fome rays of hope 
to that defolate land, you have only to feel the 
defire of doing fo, iince you have all the means 
and all the inflruments in your own hands, fit 

to 



WAR IN THE VENDEE, 263 

to begin the work. Shut your ears againfl 
thofe who would wifh to perfuade you that 
the Vendeans may again prove ungrateful children! 
Be aflured that the return of general happinefe 
will entirely fill up the precipice which defpair 
had deepened, and that the inhabitants of the 
Vendee, henceforth faithful to the voice of their 
common country, will employ only againfl: our 
foreign enemies, that fpirited valour which Sig- 
nalized their actions but too fatally in the courle 
of our civil wars. 



NOTES 



NOTES. 



No. I. 



JL HE firfl: official news which the Convention received 
of the infurredtion in the Vendee, in 1*793, rea ched it 
on the 15th of March. Citizen Niou, the commiflary 
of Government, wrote from Saint Hermand in the fol- 
lowing terms : 

" ClTIZEKS, 

" By the refolutions which we addreffed to you, on the 
13th of this month, you mull: have perceived the de^ 
plorable flate of the Lower Loire. A dreadful infurre&ion 
occafions the greateft devaftation in that country. The 
bridges on the road from Nantes are broken down. 
There was a very fharp engagement this morning be- 
tween the national guards of Fontenay and the rebels. 
Unfortunately the former were repulfed with lofs • the 
town of Chantonnay is taken and laid wade. General 
Marce is juft, arrived at St. Hermand with twelve hundred 
Mm nien 



266 NOTES. 

men from Rochfort and Rochelle, and immediately fet 
out with feven hundred men and three pieces of cannon 
to defend the bridge at Charron, which the enemy wanted 
to break down. At my requeft, five hundred men are 
jufi: arrived from Niort ; I expect 'as many from Ro- 
chelle and Rochfort. We cannot, in fa£r,, affemble too 
many troops. The infurgents, are compofed of feveral 
bodies • that which attacked my troops this morning, con- 
fided of about three thoufand men. They are com- 
manded by experienced leaders ; and their manoeuvres are 
more fkilful than could be expected." 

On the fame day (the 18th of March) the minifter at 
war tranfmitted to the Convention, the particulars relative 
to the infurre£fcion, which he had received from general 
Verteiul. 



No. II. 



The terror of the towns neareft the place of infur- 
re&ion, cannot be defcribed. An idea may be formed 
of it by the letter which the adminiftrators of the Lower 
Loire wrote on the nth of March, 1793, to the neigh- 
bouring departments. 

" Brethren and friends, fly to our afliftance ! our de- 
partment is in flames : a general in fur rection has juft bro- 
ken out ; the alarm bell is every where founding ; the in- 
furgents pillaging, affaffinating, and burning every thing. 

The 



NOTES. 267 

The patriots, few in number, are every where falling fa- 
crifices to the fury and fanaticifm of the infurgents. If 
you have any troops to lend us, or means of defence to 
aflift us with ; if you have foldiers, men, or weapons, fend 
them to us ; never were they more wanted." 



No. III. 



The following is the official report which the repre- 
fentatives of the people, accompanying the army of the 
coafts of Rochelle, fent to the National Convention, ref- 
pe&ing the battle of Fontenay : ^ 

Niort, May 26th 1793. 

" In the fituation we are in, citizen, colleagues we 
think it our duty to inform you officially of the check 
which we yefterday experienced at Fqntenay, and of 
the attack with which we are threatened from the 
rebels. 

" Lad Friday (the 24th]) we had met, to the number 
of feven, at Fontenay-le-Peuple to concert our operations ; 
we were informed that on the evening before, fymptoms 
of difcontent had been obferved in the army of la Cha- 
teigneraie, commanded by general Chalbos. We con- 
ceived that the prefence of the representatives of the 
people might be ufeful in that army ; in confequence 

of 



268 



NOTES. 



of which, three of our body went there in the morning 
with general D'Ayet ; they found tranquillity reftored, 
and the fame evening returned to Fontenay. But juft 
after their departure, about fix in the evening, general 
Chalbos was informed that the rebels were making pre- 
parations to attack him in La Chateigneraie, where it 
was impoffible for him to hold out, becaufe that town and 
its environs had been laid wafte by the infurgent*. He 
then thought it prudent to fall back upon Fontenay, 
which he efFe&ed during the night, in good order, and 
by the advice of his council of war ; by five in the 
morning all his army had arrived at Fontenay. At about 
half pail twelve at noon, information was received, that 
the rebels were making their appearance in the fame plain 
where they m& been fo compleatly defeated on the 16th. 
In an inflant the generate was beat, and fhortly after the 
army drew up in fight of an immenfe number of rebels, 
formed in three columns. The latter had no artillery, but 
they advanced upon us with the greateft intrepidity ; 
the engagement became extremely hot ; the chafleurs of 
la Gironde kept up a terrible fire ; every volunteer of the 
free company of Thouloufe and of Hernault fought va- 
liantly, like heroes, and with fome other batalions, ani- 
mated by the reprefentatives of the people prefent at the 
action, were already making an impreffion on the rebel 
columns, when the brave Chalbos ordered the gendarmerie 
to charge, in order to cut them to pieces. It would have 
been all over with thofe hordes of . plunderers, if the ge- 
neral's order had been executed ; but fhameful to fay it \ 
live gendarmes alone advanced ; the reft, frightened by the 

flight 



NOTES. 269 

flight of a few cowards, fell back, and ran away at full 
fpeed, trampling our infantry, which flood in their way, 
under foot. At length the infantry finding itfelf aban- 
doned by the cavalry, and being overpowered by num- 
bers, was itfelf thrown into diforder, and in a Ihort time 
the rout was compleat : our army, difperfed by the rebels, 
was purfued on the roaa 1 from Fontenay to Niort, where 
general D'Ayet and brigadier Nouviou, having rallied 
twenty- five gendarmes only, charged two hundred men 
of the enemy's cavalry, and made them fall back. By this 
means they protected the retreat of part of the infantry 

into Niort.''. 

m 

I mud obferve that this report is one of the mod faithful 
which was prefented to the convention ;" all the fa6is are 
exactly dated : thofe who drew it up were actually on 
the fpot, at the head of the republican columns. 



No. IV. 



It was afTerted at that time, that the infurgents pro- 
cured their powder and ammunition from England, and that 
they were paid by that pt)wer. But thefe periods have 
been confounded ; in the fecond year of the war, they 
did receive affifiance from the Englifh government, but 
until the paffage of the Loire, they always relied upon their 
own ftrength, and had no other arms or ammunition than 
what they could take from the republicans. To convince 

the 



27O NOTES. 

the reader of what T affert, I fhall here give an extract 
of a letter from citizen Brufle, a commiffary fent into 
the rebel departments. This letter was read at the fitting 
of the commune of Paris, on the 17th of May. Al- 
though the author may be accufed of fome inaccuracies, 
and fome falfe ftatements, it does do the lefs credit to 
the difcernment of citizen Brufle. 

" The rebels (fays he) occupy, at this moment, p5rt 
of the territory' of fix departments : — The central point is 
at Chemille, Mortaigne, and Chollet. — They have col- 
lected in thefe places their referves of provifions, which 
confift principally in herds of oxen, which ^re permitted 
to feed in the meadows. The number of rebels cannot 
be ascertained ; it is almofl equal to the population of 
thefe countries, for they compel every body to march. 
Their armies confifl of from twenty to twenty-five thou- 
sand men ; (Citizen Brufle mould have faid from thirty 
to forty thoufand men) ; they are armed with fowling 
pieces, having neither fwords nor bayonets. They have 
no mufkets, but what they have taken from the patriots ; 
the greater part of them are armed with pitchforks, 
fpits, and flicks ; they have about thirty field pieces, but 
no large artiller^l They are often without powder. 
The brigands have no fort of military organization ; they 
have neither regiments, different ranks of officers, nor 
plans of compaigns (this laft affertion is incorrect) ; they 
march in columns of three or four men deep, led on by 
one of the chiefs, who alone knows the object of themarch. 
When they fight, they conceal themfelves in bufhes ; 

(the 



NOTES. 271 

(the greateft part of the battles which they have fought, 
were in the open field, and not under cover) four or five 
men appear in different directions, flipping along the fides 
of hedges and ditches, trying to get as near as poflible, 
without perceiving any order of battle, and mousing like 
favages ; after that they extend to right and left to fur- 
round our troops, &c. 



No. V. 

The victory of Saumur, and the taking of Angers, 
carried terror into the capital and the provinces to fuch 
a pitch, that it is hardly to be defcribed. The following 
is the manner in which the deputies from the city of 
Nantes, expreffed themfelves at the bar of the conven- 
tion on the 22d of Jane : 

* Citizen Reprefentatives, how long will youfufFer your- 
felves to be deceived . with refpeel: to the fituation of the 
departments of the weft. — Nantes is on the eve of ruin: 
— Ordinary meafures will no longer avail. The alarum 
bell of liberty mud be rung throughout the whole re- 
public ; all France muft rife to crufri the rebels. Without 
this extraordinary meafure all is loft ; this torrent will 
fweep you away in its rapid courfe. — We mail foon 
have no other alternative but to mingte our blood with 
our brethren and children, and to die in the moft 
horrible agonies of defpair.',' 

A deputy 



2J2 NOTES. 

A deputy immediately converted the requeft of the 
inhabitants of Nantes into a motion ; another went far- 
ther, and moved, that the hour fhould be fixed, in which 
a general alarm mould be founded throughout the re- 
public. Fear had magnified the danger to every eye, 
and France never thought herfelf fo near her ruin. 



No. VI. 

It appears that feveral members of the government 
were not without anxious fears refpecling the march 
of the Vendean army, and that they were even appre- 
henfive for the capital. The following is the manner 
in which a member of the Committee of Public Safety 
expreffed himfelf, in the fitting of the convention of 
the 7th May, 1793. 

" Care mutt be taken to fabricate arms of every fort, 
in order to put Paris in a refpe£table ftate of defence, 
for the view of the enemy is to deftroy this city. Forges 
mutt be put up in all the fquares, in order to increafe 
the energy of the citizens, by the fight of new means 
of defence." 



No. VII. 

It was aflerted at the time, that the Committee of 
Public Safety had never been acquainted with the real 

truth, 



NOTES. 2-J 

truth, refpe&ing thedifturbances and battles in the Vendue : 
there is nothing more plainly proved. The commif- 
faries of Government in general, ftationed about twenty- 
leagues from the field of battle, were forced to re!y upon 
the accounts of certain prejudiced or badly informed 
agents ; their falfehoods, inserted in the official reports, 
were circulated throughout all Europe, and held out to 
every reader as authentically true; whillr. eye witncffes of 
the facts fhrugged up their moulders on reading thefe 
ftrange rhapfodies, and inwardly grieved to fee the Go- 
vernment, thus deceived, take wrong measures, diametri- 
cally oppofite to its real interefts. 



No. VIII. 



I have already obferved, that the convention had been 
Conuantly deceived by the official reports tranfmitted 
by its agents. If an unanfwerabie proof of this facl: be 
required, it will be found in the report which was addreffed 
to the Government, and read to the convention in its 
fitting of the 27th of Auguft, 1793. 

" We have frefh fucceffes to report to you ; the rebels 
are diforganifed, the remains of their army are flying 
before our republican generals; preffed hard by famine, 
they kill one another for a piece of bread. A meflenger, 
arrived this inftant from Saumur, announces the cap- 
ture of all the infurgents' ammunition. — It is a facl, that 
we have not above fix thoufand determined men to a6l 
N n againft. 



2J* NOTES. 

againft. Authentic reports confirm all thefe fads, and 
you may rely upon them. All that now remains, is to 
rife and crufh at once thefe brigands.'' 

When it is confidered that thefe rebels, defcribed as 
hard puttied by famine, and reduced to a fmall num- 
ber, made head, in a month after, againft three re- 
publican armies, that they even beat them in feveral 
engagements, one cannot help being aftonifhed at the 
extreme affurance of this babler. He was doubtlefs de- 
ceived himfelf by falfe reports ; it is more candid to 
think fo, than to believe that he wifhed to impofe (o 
barefacedly upon the convention. 



No. IX. 

How could the Government be made properly ac- 
quainted with the caufes and events of the war in the 
Vendee, when thofe very men in whom it placed th« 
greateft confidence, were raoft earned to deceive it ? A 
noted reprefentative of the people expreffed himfelf in 
the following manner on this fubjecl:, in the fitting of 
the Jacobins of the nth of September. 

" This army of the Vende'e, about which there is 
fuch a noife, is nothing but a collection of hogs*, of 

* This reminds one of Edmund Burke's swinish multitude. — Note 
of the Translator. 

people 



NOTES. 275 

people who have not even a human form, and of lawyers." 
It is curious enough to fee attornies here confounded with 
a herd of fwine and monfters, and held up in fome mea- 
fure as the leaders of the Vendee : This comparifon is fo 
much the more bitter, and unfeafonable a fatire, as its 
author, to the bed of my recollection, was a lawyer 
under the ancient government. 



No. X. 



It appears that after the engagement at Chantonnay, 
General Tunck had quitted his army for feveral days; 
the official reports which were read at the, fitting of the 
convention, of the 10th of September, all agree upon 
this point. Thefe fame reports dated the Vendean army 
at thirty thoufand men. On the fame day, a letter was 
read from a reprefentative, dating in fubftance, that all 
the citizens were rifing in mafs, whilft the army of 
Menfz, joined to another of a 100,000 men was making 
preparations to extirminate the fugitives. In eight days 
hence, added he, France may be fure of victory ; but 
the fuccefs of thefe great meafures, did not anfwer the 
expectation that had been formed of them. 

No. XL 

We have feen from the report inferted in the Note, 
No. VIII. that the rebels of the Vendee, were dated at 



62 7 NOTES* 

thoufand men at rooft : the convention muft have been 
very much furprifed in its fitting of the 1 6th of Septem- 
ber, to hear a letter read from a general in chief of the 
republican army, ctated from Saumur, the 14th of the 
fame month, which ftated that the in fur gents had affem- 
bled three armies. Such a manifeft contradiction ought 
to have thoroughly Opened its eves with refpect to its agents; 
if it was deceived, it may fafely be laid, that it wifhcd 
to be fo» 



No. XII.. 



On the 25#i of September, 1793, one ot the prin- 
cipal members of the Committee of Public Safety ad?- 
d'refled the convention in the following terms : 

" The requifitions have produced in the Vende'e, a 
fabulous army, which pofterity wiil hardly give credit 
to ; it conuffcs of four hundred thoufand men, and was 
formed in four and twenty hours." We fhall foon fee, 
that this formidable army did not anfwer the high ex- 
pectations which were formed of it. The fixteen thou- 
fand brave fellows of the army of Mentz, were more 
terrible to the Vendee than all that undifciplined rab- 
ble ; in fhort, we may very properly apply the following 
line of Horace : 

" Parturiunt montes, nafcitur ridiculus mus. 

No. XIIL 



NOTES, 277 



No. xm. 



The greatefl part of our coffee-houfe politicians have 
widely difagreed with refpe6t to the motives which 
they aflign to the Vendean chiefs for the part they 
have feverally taken in this infurredlion. Some af- 
ferted, that their only aim was to reftore monarchy ; others 
went further, and affured us that their intention was to 
deliver up their provinces to the Engliih, and, confequently, 
to become Englishmen. They might have faved them- 
felves fo many ufelefs fuppofitions, if they had given them- 
felves the trouble to read the propofals made in the name 
of the people of the Vendee to the republican authori- 
ties, by Gaudin Perrias, chief of the divifion of St. Ste- 
phen de Nontluc, dated the 14th of March. Thefe pro- 
pofals were read in the fitting of the convention of the 
23d of the fame month, and contained in fubftance, that 
there fhould be no more drawing for the militia ; that 
no horfes mould be taken from the farmers, except with 
their confent, and on being paid for them ; that the 
taxes mould be laid on with juftice, and in equal pro- 
portions ; that the directories ihould never attempt to 
violate the^liberty of the citizens, by fending againfl them 
an armed force, which ought- only to march by order 
of the tribunals and juttices of the peace; that the free- 
dom of worfhip mould be maintained ; that every minifter 
fhould enjoy that tranquillity which the law ought to 

protect 



278 NOTES* 

protect: him in ; that the churches mould be opened for 
the celebration of divine worfhip ; that every perfon in 
paying his minifler, mould have a right to choofe 
him, &c. 

I mall make no obfervations on the juftice or injuf- 
tice of thefe propofals. I mall confine myfelf to one 
reflection only, which is, that if the paternal govern- 
ment under which we live at this time, had then held 
the reins of lbte, there is reafon to believe that there 
would have been no infurrecliion in the Vendee, and 
that France would not now be groaning under the cruel 
wounds, which me received in that fatal and terrible 
explofion. 



No. XIV. 

The reprefentatives of the people wrote from ClifTon 
to the Convention, on the 22d of September. 

" You were very much impofed upon, when you were 
told the army of the rebels was reduced to fix thoufand 
men ; they have ftill three armies compofed of different 
corps, forming from correct information a total of a hun- 
dred thoufand men, of whom fifty thoufand are well armed 
and difcipiined." 

The convention, receiving fuch diametrically oppofite 
accounts, could hardly avoid taking wrong meamres ; 

and 



NOTES, 279 

and it is beyond all difpute to the ficklenefs of its agents, 
that the duration of that difaftrous war is to be attributed. 



No. XV. 

The convention, on fixing the 20th of October, 1793, 
as the period of the termination of the civil war, ad- 
dreflfed the following proclamation to the foldiers of the 
army of the weft : 

" Soldiers of liberty, the rebels of the Vendee mud 
be annihilated before the end of the month of October ; 
the welfare of the country requires it, the impatience of 
the French people commands it, their courage ought to 
accomplim it, &c." 

It were without doubt much to have been wifhed, that 
the aim of the convention had been attained ; France 
would then have faved many thoufand citizens, and the 
Vendeans their property ; but one cannot help fmiling 
at the idea of having undertaken to fix the precife pe- 
riod of the ceffation of hoftilities. 



No. XVI. 

I think it right to give here an extract of a report . 
made to the convention by one of its members, in its 
fitting of the firft of October : 

" Citizens, 



28o NOTES, 

" Citizens, 

" The inexplicable Vendee is flill in exiilencc, and the 
efforts of the republicans have been hitherto infufficient 
againft the robberies and confpiracies of thefe royalifts. 
Trifling fuccefTes on the part of our generals have been 
followed by great defeats ; thrice victorious at fmall 
ports, every one of them have been conquered in a ge- 
neral attack. — The army, which fanaticifm has named 
cuihplic and royal, appears one day inconfiderable, and 
formidable the next. If it be defeated, it becomes in a 
manner invifible ; if it meet with fuccefs, it is im- 
menfe. Panic terror, and too great confidence have al- 
ternately exaggerated the enemy's force. It is a kind of 
prodigy to fools and cowards : an immenfe mafs, but 
not invincible for foldiers ; a chace of plunderers, 
and not a civil war for a political adminirtration. This 
catholic army, which has long been flared at fifteen, 
twenty, twenty-five, and thirty thoufand, is now, from 
the report of the reprefentatives, eftimated at a hundred 
thoufand brigands. — Never fince the mania of the 
crufades, have we heard of fo many men voluntarily 
affembling, as have fuddenly appeared under the banners of 
liberty, to quell at once the too much prolonged in- 
furredtion of the Vendee. — We have neither feen no£ 
known how to take advantage, by ftriking decifive blows, 
and carrying on a war of irruption, inftead of 
making regular attacks. Panic terror, which always ir- 
retrievably ruins the largert: armies, this panic terror has 
feized, frightened, andfcattered the whole like an empty 

vapour. 

The 



NOTES. 251 

The Vendee has made progrefs from the inade- 
quacy of the troops fent againft it, from the choice of 
treacherous or ignorant generals, from the cowardice of 

a few foreign battalions from the infatiable avarice of 

the adminiftrations of our armies, who fpeculate upon 
the war, and thrive on the lofs of battles ; who increafe their 
profits by the misfortunes of their country ; counteract 
the military arrangements to prolong their advantages, 
and who enrich themfelves by the flaughtered heaps of 

the dead. It is then towards the Vendee, that your 

whole attention and all your cares mould be directed ; 
it is in the Vendee that you ought to difplay the full 
force of national impetuofity, and put into action all 
the power and refources of the Republic. — In a word, 
every blow that you flrike at the Vendee, will re-echo 
to the rebellious towns. The Vendee, and nothing 
but the Vendee, is the political flame, which devours 
the' heart of the body politic; it is there that you rauft 
ftrike. With a comprehenfive and fwift glance you 
will difcover in thefe few words all the evils of the 
Vendue : too many reprefentatives, too many generals, 
too much moral divifion, too much military divifion, 
too much want of difcipline in the hour of fuccefs, too 
many falfe accounts in the narrative, of events, too 
much avidity, too much love of money, and a defire to 
prolong the war in the generality of the commanders and 
adminiftrators." 

This eloquent report is, without difpute, the mod 

perfect, and the moft authentic picture (except in a very 

O o few 



232 



NOTESc 



few inilances) that ever was held up to the view of the 
convention. 

No. XVII 

At the engagement of Chatillon, the brave republican, 
general Chamben being mortally wounded, exclaimed, 
" I die for my country, I am happy !" He expired in a 
few hours after. I mull obferve that the report which 
was fent on the 9th of October, to the convention, is 
incorrect in feveral of its affertions. 



No. XVIII. 

The following is an extract from the o&cial report 
of the reprefentatives of the people, refpedfcing the ren- 
counter at Chollet. 

" Our troops would have entered Chollet the fame day, 
if night had not overtaken them. They kept guard on 
the road till the morrow, when all our united columns 
advanced upon that town, before which the enemy had 
collected all its forces. A bloody engagement took place, 
and the fire was terrible on both fides ; but the genius 

of liberty prevailed, and we were victorious. -The 

rebels attacked again the very next day ; never was 
there greater fury fhown than they exhibited on this 
attack ; never perhaps was there a more bloody battle fought : 
it lafted from noon till 8 o'clock at night, when they 
were thrown into diforder on every fide." 

No. X32T. 



NOTES. 283 



No. XIX. 

The convention, conitantly deceived by falfe reports, 
at laft loft all patience. One of the members of the 
Committee of Public Safety exprefTed himfelf as follows, 
in the fitting of the 15th Brumaire, 2d. year : 



■ ** The dreadful day approaches, in which the 

light of truth will clear up all the myfteries of the 
Vendee : that day, in which, with a bold hand, we fhall 
tear off the bandadge which has hitherto concealed 
and yet conceals all thofe diftant intrigues, all thofe 
local manoeuvres, all thofe military treafons, thofe 
different fpecies of ambition in the chiefs, which have 
too long foftered this civil war. •— — — Victories 
coloured over, half fucceffes exaggerated, captures never 
made, fabulous narratives, all will be examined, and the 
nation will be revenged. — — — • " 



No. XX. 

The battle of Mans was too important, and too ho- 
nourable to the republican armies, to permit me as an 
impartial hiftorian to omit an extract of the official 
report, which was addreffed to the national convention, 
and was. read in its fitting of the 24th Frimaire. 

O o 2 " Citizen 



58 i KOTES. 

" Citizen "Colleagues," 

" By clofely purfuing the infernal band of brigands, 
we at laft came up with them yeftcrday, under the walls 
of Mans, which they had entered the night before, as 
we informed you in our laft letter. Our cavalry, which 
had kept conftantly at their heels fince their defeat at 
Angiers, purfued them fo clofely yefterday^ that a very 
wasm action began between them and us. At fiifl they 
repulfed us, as well on account of the fuperiority of 
their numbers, as becaufe they were advantageoufly ported 
in front of Pont-Lieu. Elated with this fuccefs, they 
advanced rapidly ; and were already fhouting vittory! when 
the genius of Liberty decided it otherwife. The column 
of Cherbou g, commanded by general Tilly, was there; 
and far from being intimidated by the retreat of their 
brethren in arms, and by the boldnefs of the enemy who 
purfued them, the foldiers of the divifion of Cherbourg 
fell upon the rebels, and, after the firft fire, purfued them 
with the bayonet, put them to flight, and killed a great 

number of them It was nine o'clock at night ; a 

terrible fire of mufquetry began on both fides, every foot 
of ground in the town was difputed, and the battle lafted 
till two in the morning ; both fides watched each other's 
motions. The banditti took advantage of the darknefs to 

evacuate the town Chiefs, march ionefles, coun- 

tefTes, priefts in plenty, cannons, covered waggons, 

coaches, baggage of all forts, fell into our hands The 

ftreets, houfes, public places and roads, are ftrewed with 
carcafes, and this maffacre has already lafted fifteen hours. 

" In 



NOTES. 285 

" In a word, Citizen Colleagues, this is the mod deci- 
sive day that we have had for the ten months that we 

have heen fighting thefe brigands Marceau, the 

general in chief; Tilly, commanding the divifion of Cher- 
bourg ; and Weftermann, by their bravery, contributed 
greatly to the fuccefs of the day. The latter had two 
horfes killed under him, and received two wounds in the 

engagement, but would not quit his pofl: What is 

particularly pleafing is, that this decifive victory has not 
coft the republic thirty of its defenders, and we have only 
a hundred wounded." 

We may fairly conclude, that the authors of this ac- 
count had not counted the dead and wounded themfelves, 
and that they did not expect this part of their report to be 
believed. 



No. XXL 



I think it proper to relate an anecdote here, which 
will juftify what I have advanced on the fubject of the 
unheard of misfortunes to which the Vendee became a prey 
in the courfe of the civil war. 

After the burning of Chollet, the two contending 
parties for fome time difputed even its very ruins. The 
pofleflion of that important poll: gave rife to feveral bat- 
tles, in which the rebels were often defeated, but fome- 
times came off victorious. Weary at laft of fhedding fo 

much 



386 NOTES. 

much blood for a heap of ruins, both parties by mutual 
agreement abandoned it. Near Chollet, and round its 
fcite, there are numerous eftablimments, known under 
the name of bleaching grounds ; it was in a fpecies of co- 
vered gallery, that the manufacturers dried or bleached 
their cotton ftufR and handkerchiefs. For the protection 
of thefe goods, each of the manufactories kept a great 
number of dogs, which were Jet loofe at night againft , 
fufpe<Sfced perfons and thieves; 

Thefe dogs after the death or the flight of their matters, 
affembled at Chollet to the number of more than four hun- 
dred, as foon as the town was abandoned : there they lived 
on human flefh and dead carcaffes for feveral weeks ; this 
their food rendered them fo ferocious, that after the peace, 
when the refugees of Cholet entered the town, they 
were like to be devoured. A whole republican batta- 
lion was obliged to march againll thefe new adverfaries, 
who did not yield the place to the inhabitants until they 
were entirely deftroyed. 



FINIS. 



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